OUA Playoff Preview: Semifinal berths set to go through divisions' top seeds in quarterfinal action
BURLINGTON, Ont. – All went almost according to plan for the province’s top women’s basketball seeds, as the Western Mustangs are the only non-top four divisional threat left in the quest for the Critelli Cup. The matchups, therefore, are set for the quarterfinals, but will the script stay the same as round one or will a plot twist take this postseason push down a new path?
The full schedule of quarterfinal action can be found HERE.
West Division
No. 5 Western Mustangs (13-11) vs. No. 1 McMaster Marauders (20-4)
Looking to begin their quest for the Critelli Cup on the right foot this weekend will be the McMaster Marauders, with the hopes to translating their regular season success into a provincial championship. Their first test will come in the quarterfinals, and if the maroon machine wants to slay their Mustang opponents, it will start on the offensive end. Mac enters the postseason as the 3rd ranked offense in the OUA, pouring in 71.8 PPG. Their most lethal weapon therein comes from the long ball, as the Marauders connected on a league-high 8.6 three-pointers per contest, while also taking the most per game (27.6). Their most potent three-point shooter comes in the form of Hilary Hanaka, who also happens to lead the Hamilton squad in scoring this season (15.1 PPG). Along with three other double-digit scorers, including fellow senior Linnaea Harper (12.5 PPG) and freshman Sarah Gates (10.4), the Marauders will be tough to stop in their march toward Critelli Cup glory.
Coming into the quarterfinal round as the only seed outside the top four in either division, the Western Mustangs will have their eyes on a second straight upset against the Marauders. It’s no secret that the purple ponies have shot the ball well all season long – 3rd in OUA in field goal percentage and 6th in three-point percentage – but Western took it to another level in Round 1. Led by the trio of Julia Curran (22 PTS, 6-14 FG%), Victoria Heine (21 PTS, 9-14 FG%), and Mackenzie Puklicz (17 PTS, 4-8 3PT%), the ‘Stangs shot a blistering 41.9% from the field and 42.9% from deep; something they’ll surely look to repeat against the top-seeded Marauders. If Western can keep up that type of electric pace, while also limiting the opportunities they provide McMaster, the Mustangs should be able to make a case for a semifinal berth.
Season Series:
Jan. 20: McMaster 83 Western 80
Feb. 10: Western 44 McMaster 66
No. 3 Lakehead Thunderwolves (16-8) vs. No. 2 Windsor Lancers (20-4)
Windsor has been a threat all year, as evidenced by their 20-win campaign, and it’s no surprise from a team that boasts a top-five offense and defense. Not only do the Lancers pour in almost 70 points per contest, but they do so efficiently and in a variety of ways. Their most noticeable advantage on offense comes from behind the arc, where Windsor led the OUA by shooting 33.3% and connecting on eight triples per game. Complementing this sharp-shooting offense is perhaps an even better defense, which ranks 2nd in points per game allowed (56.4). If the Lancers want to continue their impressive ranks, they’ll be turning once again to the gifted Emily Prevost to lead the charge. Prevost (14.9 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.3 STL) has been a game-changer on both ends of the floor and will find herself in a marquee matchup against another of the OUA’s finest on Saturday. But if Prevost can play her game and lead the Lancers like she has done her entire career, Windsor’s quest for the Critelli Cup may very well extend to the semifinals.
The West Division’s third ranked Thunderwolves brought their A-game against the Golden Hawks in Round 1, but will need to find even more if they want to bring down the Windsor Lancers. One of the key cogs in helping Lakehead earn their first round win was none other than Leashja Grant, who despite getting off to a slow start in the first half, finished with a monstrous 27 PTS, 16 REB performance. Grant will need to keep up these stout numbers against Prevost and the No. 2 Lancers to limit their impressive skills on the glass and on the defensive end. If anyone has the ability to do so, it’s Grant, but the T’Wolves will also need to rely on their additional strengths on defense (2nd in OUA in opponents field goal percentage, 1st in steals per game, 6th in points allowed per game) to cause a wrinkle or two in the Critelli Cup plans of their quarterfinal foes.
Season Series:
Jan. 26: Lakehead 56 Windsor 67
Jan. 27: Lakehead 57 Windsor 72
East Division
No. 4 Ryerson Rams (13-10) vs. No. 1 Carleton Ravens (23-0)
An undefeated regular season, a top ranked offense and defense, and a reigning title under their belts, Carleton should be a confident bunch heading into their first postseason action of the year. The No. 1 nationally ranked squad can shoot the ball from anywhere on the floor, they can crash the boards with the best of them, and they can pass the ball better than any of their provincial counterparts. On the other side of the ball, they don’t make things any easier for their opponents, as the Ravens can fluster their opposition from anywhere on the floor. Carleton impedes the passing lanes, protects the paint with an OUA-best 5.9 blocks per game, and can limit the shot success both within and beyond the arc. Among the standout individuals who will be helping Carleton’s quest for a repeat will be the trio of Heather Lindsay, Elizabeth Leblanc, and Catherine Traer – each of whom cracked double-digit scoring averages this season – while also chipping in on the glass, in the passing game, and in blocks and steals, respectively.
Looking to reel in their onerous quarterfinal opponents will be the Ryerson Rams, who are coming off of a Subway Series win over the York Lions in their first round matchup. Not only did the Rams receive standout contributions from the likes of Sofia Paska (14 PTS, 18 REB, 4 AST) and Marin Scotten (18 PTS, 4 REB, 2 BLK, 2 STL), they also managed to do well against one of the OUA’s finest, Lindsay Shotbolt. Certainly, the Rams will have their hands full once again with the resilient Ravens squad, but if they can repeat the efforts that held Shotbolt to just nine points on five field goal attempts, Ryerson will have a much better chance of earning the win. Maintaining that strong defensive presence hasn’t always been easy for the Rams this season; however, so they’ll once again need to bring their A-game on offense (2nd in OUA) to keep their Critelli Cup hopes alive come Saturday.
Season Series:
Jan. 5: Ryerson 53 Carleton 60
Jan. 27: Carleton 55 Ryerson 43
No. 3 Ottawa Gee-Gees (15-8) vs. No. 2 Queen’s Gaels (17-6)
The Gaels will once again look to turn their regular season success into a strong postseason push; something they did last year to the tune of a finals clash with the Ravens. With their eyes set on a Critelli Cup title this time around, the Tricolour will surely be turning to their 4th ranked offense to provide a jolt to their quarterfinal tilt. The Kingston squad has averaged 70.1 PPG on the year and is no stranger when it comes to getting up shots. They keep the opposition on their toes at all times with an OUA-leading 69.5 field goals per game, but have the ability to beat teams in other facets as well. They get to the glass for second chance opportunities (1st in OUA in offensive rebounds); pass the ball well to maximize their chances (2nd in OUA in assists); get after it on defense to disrupt inside and outside shooting and passing lanes; and ultimately manage the game on both sides of the ball. One of the true standouts in helping the Gaels do all of this is one of the OUA’s most well-rounded players – Veronika Lavergne (13.5 PPG, 49 FG%, 6.8 REB, 2.1 BLK) – and if she can continue to wreak havoc, the Gaels should do the same.
The Gee-Gees, who are coming off a strong season of their own, have already gotten their postseason off on the right foot with a 23-point victory over the Varsity Blues. Leading the charge for Ottawa in that game was none other than Brigitte Lefebvre-Okankwu, who picked up where she left off in the regular season to top the Gee-Gees in scoring. Lefebvre-Okankwu also led the way on the glass – again, as she did this season – which is a formula that she, and the rest of the Gee-Gees, will be looking to repeat in Kingston this weekend. The team did well to outpace their season averages on offense in Round 1, but will need to showcase their 3rd ranked defense as well in their quarterfinal clash to keep their quest for the cup alive. The team has allowed just 56.8 PPG this season on 34.1% shooting, which should put a wrinkle in the impressive Queen’s offense and make for a tight matchup to see who ultimately advances.
Season Series:
Jan. 13: Ottawa 61 Queen’s 53
Feb. 16: Queen’s 63 Ottawa 50
