uOttawa - Hannah Sunley-Paisley 16 points, 16 rebounds; Jenna Gilbert 16 points, 5 rebounds;
Brock - Samantha deJong 15 points, 7 rebounds; Emily McKay 11 points, 1 rebound
After falling 58-49 to the Badgers in their season opening game in November, the Gee-Gees got their revenge Friday evening at Montpetit Hall, opening the OUA Final Four tournament with a 63-49 semifinal victory to send them to the gold medal game tomorrow evening at 8:00 p.m.
The Gee-Gees got off to a shaky start in the first quarter, demonstrating some playoff jitters as they struggled to capitalize on their offensive rebounds. Nonetheless, they managed to hold a 15-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Gee-Gees started to fall flat in the second quarter, as Brock would go on a six point run to pull ahead 25-17. With a minute and a half left in the first half, three-time OUA East Player of the Year Hannah Sunley-Paisley (Toronto, Ont.) helped turn things around for her team, bucketing two points under the net and kick-starting an eight point run, including a three from fourth-year forward and Second Team All-Star Jenna Gilbert(Ottawa, Ont.), a lay-in by second-year guard Emilie Cyr (Montreal, Qué.), and a free-throw from fifth-year forward and OUA East Defensive Player of the Year Bess Lennox (Ottawa, Ont.). With just under a minute left, Lennox tied things up with another free throw, but Brock would draw a foul and follow through with two of their own to lead by two points at the half, 27-25.
"I think we were just really nervous. It's our first really important playoff game," noted Gilbert on their slow start. "At half-time we just stayed calm and realized that we were much better than this, we just needed to calm down and start it with defence, and the offence would come."
And the Gee-Gees did just that. Despite a continued strong offensive push by Brock in the opening minutes of the third, which saw another two points from third-year forward Samantha deJong (St. Catherine's, Ont.), the Garnet and Grey started some scoring streaks of their own. Gilbert started things off with back-to-back shots, followed by a strong performance by second-year guard Sarah Nolette (Edmonton, Alta.), scoring two threes, two free-throws, as well as a steal, to help her team to a 44-41 lead heading into the last frame.
Lennox continued to be a force on defence, amassing 14 rebounds by the end of the third quarter. Lennox would go on to pick up a total of 23 rebounds and 7 points, earning her Player of the Game honours.
The fourth quarter would see a change of pace for the Gee-Gees, allowing them to extend their lead. A nice drive to the hoop by Rookie of the Year Kellie Ring (Ottawa, Ont.), followed by two consecutive baskets by Sunley-Paisley would force Brock to call a time-out. But this would be no help, as Nolette scored another three pointer to extend the lead to 10 points with just over five minute left in the game. With a double team on Sunley-Paisley down-low, the Gee-Gees were successful in finding Gilbert behind the arc, as she hit back-to-back threes. The Gee-Gees would maintain control of the game in the final minutes to win it, 63-49.
Head coach Andy Sparks was pleased with the win, but explained that his team must be prepared to start off strong tomorrow evening if they hope to take home the OUA Championship. "We can't play like that tomorrow night. The reality is that we got through with a win. But if you look at rebounding, Bess picking up 23 boards, it would have been nice some of them had of resulted in something positive for us. In general, defence wins and fortunately we defended for the whole game."
With the win, the Gee-Gees now advance to the OUA Championship tomorrow at 8:00 p.m. at Montpetit Hall, and will face the Windsor Lancers, who won Friday's second semi-final match-up. The winner of tomorrow's OUA Championship game will advance to the CIS Championship Tournament at Calgary, March 15-19.
Stay tuned to www.geegees.ca for updated information.
For ticket information, please see the Buy Tickets page at www.geegees.ca
