W-BASKETBALL PLAYOFF ROUNDUP: Ravens, Lancers, Badgers, Gee-Gees earn Final Four appearances
Laurier Golden Hawks (3) @ Brock Badgers (2)
ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - The Brock University women's basketball team (23-12 overall) advanced to the OUA Final Four after defeating the Laurier Golden Hawks by the score of 72-53 in the OUA quarter-finals Saturday afternoon at the Bob Davis Gymnasium.
Laurier would cut the lead to 14 points, 54-40, early in the fourth. Brock would answer with a 15-1 run over the next three minutes leading by as many as 28 points, 69-41, with 6:23 left in regulation.
The Badgers had three players in double figures led by senior Emily McKay (Toronto, Ont.) who led all scorers with a game-high 18 points. She also added six rebounds and five steals.
The forward duo of juniors Nicole Rosenkranz (Niagara Falls, Ont.) and Samantha deJong (St. Catharines, Ont.) combined for 29 points and 30 rebounds. Rosenkranz registered a double-double adding 17 points and 12 rebounds. deJong finished one rebound shy of the Badgers school record adding 12 points and career-high 18 boards for the double-double.
Leading the Golden Hawks were senior Christa Mancino (Port Colborne, Ont.) who added 17 points and seven rebounds in her last career game. Rookie standout Shelby Kurt (Waterloo, Ont.) added 11 points and four rebounds. Sophomore Felicia Mazerolle (Elliot Lake, Ont.) chipped in with nine points and five rebounds in the loss.
For the game, Brock shot 41.2% (28-for-68) from the field while Laurier went 19-for-62 (30.6%). Both teams struggled from beyond the arc as Laurier went 2-for-14 (14.3%) and Brock was 2-for-11 (18.2%). The Badgers out rebounded Laurier by a wide margin 55-41.
Source: Badgers Athletics
The Carleton University Ravens women’s basketball team is on its way to the OUA Final Four after a commanding 84-62 victory over the University of Toronto Varsity Blues at the Ravens’ Nest Saturday night.
The Ravens were able to play their own style of basketball, quickly moving the ball up court and establishing constant pressure with their offence. The Blues fell behind early and the Ravens didn’t let their foot off the gas pedal.
The Ravens opened up an 18-point lead at halftime, and despite a good push back from the Blues in the third quarter, the game was never in doubt thanks to a solid performance from the home squad.
The Blues came off a blowout win against their cross-town rivals, the York Lions, on Wednesday night, while the Ravens rested because their second-place finish in the regular season earned them a first-round bye.
Nonetheless, the Ravens proved to be on a different level.
Carleton shot 10-for-24 from beyond the arc, had nine steals and six blocks, compared to a three-point total of 5-for-13, three steals and no blocks by the Blues.
Megan Stoncius (Toronto) was the top scorer for Toronto, notching 17 points in the losing effort.
Source: Ravens Athletics
With tonight’s 89-53 win over the Ryerson Rams, the Gee-Gees have secured their place in the OUA Final Four and as hosts as the top seeded OUA East team in contention. The playoff drive is now in full swing for the team, which by their regular season record could arguably be the best Gee-Gee team that has ever taken the court at Montpetit Hall. But come post-season, nothing can be taken for granted and with their powerful drive out of the gate tonight the Gee-Gees proved that they are taking that mentality to heart.
Fouls would come to play a key factor in the Rams’ ball game, as two early fouls in the first quarter threatened team leader Angela Tilk. And later in the third quarter, the Rams’ leading scorer Ashley MacDonald racked up her fourth personal foul and would take to the bench. As the CIS-leading defensive unit in the regular season, the Gee-Gees would demonstrate that prowess once again tonight, completely neutralizing the Rams’ offence. The frustration on Ryerson’s part was much evidenced by their foul situation.
“I think we were solid; it was a good team result,” said head coach Andy Sparks, “Our key players came to play. Kellie Ring controlled the tempo early and got them frustrated; which was sort of caused by us executing well on the offensive end of the floor and getting the shots that we wanted to get.”
The Gee-Gees’ bench would take to the court for much of the second half, continuing to prove the depth of the roster. Forward Ariane Lachance-Scantland (Gatineau, Qué.) led the bench, putting up seven points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals in her 24 minutes, “Our level of practice has been going up and I feel like we’re just getting better every day,” commented Lachance-Scantland, “Coming into this game, we had a high level of focus and that is the level of focus we want to maintain for all the games coming up.”
Fifth-years forward Bess Lennox (Ottawa, Ont.) and centre Hannah Sunley-Paisley (Toronto, Ont.) each put up a double-double for the Gee-Gees; Lennox led with 16 points and 14 rebounds while Sunley-Paisley added 11 points and 13 rebounds. First-year point guard Kellie Ring (Ottawa, Ont.) also finished with 12 points.
Source: Gee-Gees Athletics
Western Mustangs (5) @ Windsor Lancers (1)
The Windsor Lancers Women's Basketball team turned in a dominating performance on Saturday night as they overwhelmed the Western Mustangs 84-55 in the OUA West Semi-Finals at the St. Denis Centre.
With the win, the #2 ranked Lancers now advance to the OUA Final Four to be played next weekend in Ottawa.
After a tight opening quarter that saw the home team lead 21-20, the Lancers took control of the game in the second as they outscored the Mustangs 20-8 in the frame.
Lancer guard Bojana Kovacevic was red hot from long range as she knocked down a trio of three-pointers to help her team take a 41-28 halftime lead.
The second half was all Windsor as they stretched their lead to 24 points in the third quarter and led 62-41 after three.
The Mustangs had no answer for the Lancers dynamic offensive attack which included strong post play from Jessica Clemencon and solid outside shooting from the guards.
Windsor maintained a 30-point lead throughout the fourth quarter as they cruised to the 84-55 win.
For the Lancers, Bojana Kovacevic led all scorers with 20 points on 7 of 11 shooting and added 9 rebounds in an impressive all around performance.
Miah Langlois added 14 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists while Jessica Clemencon finished with 11 points and 9 rebounds. Korissa Williams chipped in with 9 points while Laura Mullins and Iva Peklova each added 6 apiece.
The Lancers shot 47% from the field while the Mustangs only managed 39% shooting.
OUA SCHEDULE & RESULTS
February 25, 2012 – OUA Quarter-finals
Laurier, 53 @ Brock, 72
Toronto, 62 @ Carleton, 84
Ryerson, 53 @ Ottawa, 89
Western, 55 @ Windsor, 84
March 2, 2012 – OUA Semifinals (Final Four @ Ottawa)
6:00 pm – Brock @ Ottawa
8:00 pm – Carleton @ Windsor
March 3, 2012 (Final Four @ Ottawa)
6:00 pm – OUA Bronze Medal
8:00 pm – OUA Championship Final
