AROUND OUA: Gaels five-game win streak snapped by OUA East rival Rams
KINGSTON, Ont. - The No. 4 ranked Ryerson Rams women's basketball team held onto a first half lead to defeat the No. 9 ranked Queen's Gaels 66-61 and take sole possession of first place in the OUA East division on Friday night in Kingston.
SCOREBOARD
Gaels five-game win streak snapped by OUA East rival Rams
KINGSTON, Ont. (February 26, 2016)- The Queen's Gaels women's basketball team had its five-game winning streak snapped on Friday evening at the Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC), dropping a 66-61 decision to the OUA East rival Ryerson Rams in a battle of nationally-ranked teams.
Emily Hazlett led all players with 19 points, shooting 7-of-16 from the floor, while Robyn Pearson chipped in 14 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double in a losing cause for the Gaels (14-4). Marianne Alarie tallied 10 points, and Sarah Saftich added eight for the hosts.
Silvana Jez and Sofia Paska each recorded 14 points in helping the Rams (15-3) move one step closer to clinching the OUA East division and the second-seed in the OUA playoff race.
GAME FLOW
The visitors were quick out of the gate, scoring nine straight points to start the contest in the opening four minutes, which led to a quick timeout call from Head Coach Dave Wilson. Following the break, Ryerson scored four more points before a three-pointer from Alarie (Sudbury, Ont.) snapped a near seven minute drought from the hosts where they missed their opening six shots and turned the ball over on five occasions.
Pearson (Toronto) kept the Gaels in the game with some good work in the post, earning two lay-up buckets that kept the deficit to 10 points late in the quarter. Mariah Nunes continued to lead the charge for the Rams, however, hitting two free-throws to record a quarter-high 10 points. A buzzer-beating hook shot from Hazlett cut the Rams lead down to eight heading into the second quarter.
The hosts were unable to cut into Ryerson's advantage in the second quarter, shooting at a first-half efficiency of 28.6%. The No. 4 ranked Rams could not, however, expand much upon their their lead, committing four turnovers in the second stanza alone while missing a couple of routine baskets. Hazlett (Fredericton, N.B.), who led the Gaels with six points in the first two quarters, finished off a well-executed in-bounds play with only seconds remaining in the half, sending her team into the break down by 11.
The Gaels started the second half with four-straight points, and after another basket from the hosts, Hazlett stole the ball off the ensuing Rams inbounds, and Wright picked up her first two points of the game to bring the Gales within five. A corner three off an inbounds from Sarah Saftich (Markham, Ont.) kept the Gaels within striking distance. Queen's would start the third by going on an impressive 15-4 run, and with 2:43 left Nunes picked up her fourth foul, forcing Rams Coach Carly Clark to sit her leading scorer.
Three turnovers from the Gaels within the last two minutes of the third, however, seemed to undo much of the work they had done to bring the deficit down to four points. Ryerson took full advantage, pushing their lead back up to double-digits by the end of the period.
The paced intensified early in the final quarter, where the Gaels burst out on an 8-2 run, which was sparked by another highlight reel play from Hazlett, who after picking up another steal made an acrobatic lay-up while being fouled. After she made her free-throw, Alarie notched a three-pointer, and the Ryerson lead was once again under threat.
Another three following a Rams bucket from Saftich brought the lead down to two, but a timely response from beyond the arc by Tiemens re-extended the Ryerson lead. The Gaels then missed 3-of-4 free-throw attempts on their next two possessions, and the Rams took advantage with four more points at the other end of the floor to push the lead up to six with under a minute left.
Hazlett hit a desperation three to cut an eight-point lead down to five with under 20 seconds left, but the Gaels ran out of time down the stretch, allowing the Rams to move solely into first-place in the division and even the season series at one win a-piece.
FINAL SAY
"We created some good opportunities to come back in the second half, but it was a disappointing start to the game," said Wilson. "I thought in the first half we were out-muscled and out-hustled. We did a much better job in those areas throughout the second half. A few mental mistakes here and there swung the momentum back in their favour after we were able to get the deficit down."
BY THE NUMBERS
7- Robyn Pearson has recorded seven double-doubles in the regular season
19- Emily Hazlett picked up a season-high 19 points against the Rams
1-Just one rebound separated the two squads, with Ryerson pulling down 48 compared to 47 from the Gaels
UP NEXT
The Gaels will conclude their regular season at the ARC on Saturday evening, when they will host the Toronto Varsity Blues. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m.
Source: Queen's Gaels
Gee-Gees win fifth straight with big road win
The Gee-Gees are on a roll as another win under the team's belt puts them at a five game winning streak. The opening game of the weekend saw the no. 6 ranked uOttawa women's basketball team (16-2) take down the Nipissing University Lakers (3-15) by a score of 83-59. A tough full court defensive effort and high shooting percentage was what it took to overcome the Lakers.
Ottawa hit the court ready to go and led 28-12 after the first quarter. A hot-handed Julia Soriano, with the team high of 21 points, came out blazing notching 7-of-9 threes. Following suit, the team rang in at a healthy 50 per cent from beyond the arc scoring 11 of 12 shots. Another guard for the Gee-Gees shined as Kellie Ring hammered out some great stats dropping 16 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals.
In the third, the Gee-Gees pushed the floor creating a 30-point spread on the Lakers at 61-31. But the Lakers kept their composure and rallied back late in the game winning the final quarter 19-17. Guard, Claire Abbott of the Lakers played a worthy game coming in with the game high of 25 points and two a piece for rebounds, assists, and steals. Nipissing's Alexe Galipeau-Wilson put her name on the scoreboard as well laying in 12 points of her own adding to Nipissing's final tally.
Ottawa will take on Laurentian in the final regular season game of 2015-2016 on Saturday. Teams tip off at 6 p.m. with a broadcast live on OUA.tv
Source: Ottawa Gee-Gees
Marauders win close one in Guelph
The McMaster women's basketball team wrapped up the OUA conference schedule with a 71-69 road win over the Guelph Gryphons to finish with a league record of 15 and 4.
In what was a tight battle for the entire game, McMaster got a big 26 point performance from Danielle Boiago to end the regular season with a victory.
The Marauders held a narrow 32-31 lead at halftime, but the Gryphons won the third quarter by a basket and were up by a point heading to the final quarter.
The teams jockeyed through the fourth quarter and with the score tied 69-69 with 35 seconds left, going to overtime was a distinct possibility. But the Marauders got two late free throws from Rachael Holmes after Guelph missed a three-point attempt that would gave taken the lead. McMaster was able to hold on and secure the narrow victory to sweep the season series with Guelph.
Mac also got a 12-point effort from Hilary Hanaka and some good balanced scoring throughout the line-up. Bridget Atkinson led the Guelph scoring parade with 18.
The Marauders will be at home for a first-round OUA playoff game on Wednesday, March 2, with tip-off at 7-PM versus an opponent to be determined.
Source: McMaster Marauders
Thunderwolves upset Mustangs on the road
Katelyn Andrea scored 26 points points and led the women's basketball team to a 79-71 win over the Western Mustangs Friday evening.
While the Mustangs came into the game competing for top spot in the OUA West, Lakehead entered the game knowing it would be one of their final two remaining games this season.
Katelyn Andrea was the answer time and again down the stretch, as she got out in the open court and her team mates found her with nifty passes. Andrea grabbed 10 rebounds and went 12-of-16 from the field and could have scored 30, had it not been for a 2-for-7 mark at the free throw line.
O'Reilly keyed Lakehead's run in the final quarter, as the 'Wolves out-scored Western 29-20 in the final 10 minutes to come away with the victory.
Coach Jon Kreiner:
Lakehead completes their season tomorrow against the Windsor Lancers at 6:30pm.
Source: Lakehead Thunderwolves
Ravens pick up 13th win of the season in Sudbury
(SUDBURY, ON) — Following two lead changes in the opening minute of the game, the Carleton Ravens women's basketball took control and never looked back en route to a 75-55 win – the team's third straight victory and eighth win in the past nine games overall.
The Ravens were a determined group out on the court on Friday evening, playing a physical style of basketball that has seen the team elevate to new heights in the course of a month.
Carleton had optimal performances from Heather Lindsay (Ottawa, ON) as well as captain Lindsay Shotbolt (Markham, ON), who both earned a double-double in the team's 20-point victory.
Laurentian was slowed down by an unbreakable Carleton defence in an opening quarter that saw the Ravens unsettle the Voyageurs which had the home team rethinking its scoring strategy. A free throw by Laurentian's Danielle Harris was the only score that stood between Carleton's shutout of the V's in the final eight minutes of quarter one.
Despite grinding Laurentian down defensively, Carleton was not able to capitalize on its chances to build a large lead on the opposite end of the floor.
Leading 27-19 at the half, Carleton came out of the locker room with a renewed sense of optimism, as the team scored on five consecutive baskets midway through the quarter, highlighted by rookie Cynthia Dupont-Letourneau (Waterville, QC) hitting back-to-back 3-points baskets.
An Elizabeth Leblanc (London, ON) basket with 0:52 remaining in the third gave the visitors a 49-29 advantage with one quarter remaining.
Heather Lindsay's 11 points in the fourth quarter sealed the victory for Carleton, which moved one step closer to a first-round bye in the OUA playoffs.
With a team-high of 17 points in combination with a career-high 18 rebounds, Lindsay achieved her eleventh double-double of the season, certainly solidifying her case as one of the top forwards, if not players, in the OUA.
With the playoffs just around the corner, Lindsay Shotbolt was able to nab her first double-double of the season, the perfect time for the veteran leader to be rounding into form.
Carleton's season finale comes against Nipissing tomorrow night in North Bay. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Source: Carleton Ravens
The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's basketball team defeated the York Lions 76-63 on Friday night (Feb. 26) at Tait McKenzie Centre.
With the victory, the Blues improve to 7-11 and remain in third place in the OUA East.
U of T came out on fire as third-year guard Diedre Edwards utilized her attacking style to secure several and-one opportunities, while setting up her teammates for open shots. First-year guard Keyira Parkes and Blues scoring leader Rahshida Atkinson were the beneficiaries of the open looks and helped lift Toronto a 15-point lead heading into the second quarter.
York would push back in the second, going on a quick run to bring the lead down to single-digits, but a flurry of baskets from the Blues, including two knockdown three's from Parkes, carried U of T to a 46-36 lead at the half.
In the third, Toronto would once again have to withstand a surge from the Lions but continued strong play from Atkinson and Parkes carried the Blues through the tough stretch and lifted the squad to a playoff-clinching fourth.
Atkinson led all scorers with 20 points, while adding five rebounds and three steals. Parkes finished the night with 15 points shooting an efficient 6-for-11 from the field while also adding two steals.
Nina Guzina led all Lions with 11 points, including three baskets beyond the arc.
The Varsity Blues will now end their regular season in Kingston, Ontario tomorrow night (Feb. 27) taking on the Queen's Gaels. Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m.
Source: Toronto Varsity Blues
