RECAP: #3 Gee-Gees defeat #7 Queen’s and crack triple-digits in win over Ontario Tech
The Gee-Gees women’s basketball team improved to 13-2 on the regular season with two home wins over the weekend.
JAN. 17 VS. QUEEN'S
The Gee-Gees' eighth consecutive win came against division rival Queen's Gaels on Friday night in a 81-71 win at Montpetit Hall.
Ottawa pulled ahead early, led by some key shots by first-year guard Natsuki Szczokin. Queen's responded in turn to keep the game within striking distance throughout.
Szczokin and Brooklynn McAlear-Fanus paced the Garnet and Grey with 10 points each in the first half. Undisciplined play by the Gee-Gees resulted in 11 points from the foul line for Queen's in the half, shrinking Ottawa's lead to 42-35.
When a pair of free throws from Sophie de Goode of the Gaels pulled Queen's within two points, the Gee-Gees responded with an 11-0 run to take a commanding lead.
Ottawa led by double-digits through the remainder of the contest, earning some retribution following a 81-75 loss at Queen's earlier this season.
McAlear-Fanus finished with a game-high 19 points, and was one of five Gee-Gees scoring in double-figures. Angela Ribarich scored 11 points off the bench, including a perfect 4-4 on field goals.
JAN. 18 VS. ONTARIO TECH
In what will likely be their most dominant performance of the season, the Gee-Gees defeated the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks 101-34 on Saturday night at Montpetit Hall.
Ottawa sprung out to a 26-7 lead in the first frame, setting the tone for the evening early in the game. Holding a 47-17 lead at halftime, the game was never in doubt for the Gee-Gees against the newly assembled Ridgebacks squad.
In the third frame, the Ottawa was undeniable posting 31 points and only forfeiting seven in the quarter.
McAlear-Fanus finished the game in elite territory as she turned in an outstanding triple-double performance with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists. The fifth-year guard is no stranger to filling the stat sheet, but a triple-double is a true testament to her exceptional play this season in her final year with the Gee-Gees.
Katherine Follis was the game's leading scorer with 23 points, Brigitte Lefebvre-Okankwu had 16 points, while Ribarich and Tyra Blizzard rounded out scorers in double-figures with 10 points apiece.
Overall, Ottawa held Ontario Tech to 10-54 shooting for only 18.5 per cent on the game, as well as forced 26 turnovers.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
"I think we still show a lot of potential; we're not quite reaching our full potential yet. From a shooting perspective we've struggled quite a bit the last four games … we still have to clean things up on the offensive end. We're now entering into the toughest schedule in the country these next seven games. We play Ryerson next, so one day off and we start prepping." – Gee-Gees head coach Andy Sparks.
"It's a great feeling, but not something I go in super focused on, since I have flirted with one for a long time it feels really good to get it done. I owe it to my teammates, they had to box out the bigs, so I just had to go in and crash and they let me steal their boards basically." – Brookylnn McAlear-Fanus said following her triple-double performance
UP NEXT:
The Gee-Gees will kick off a difficult stretch of schedule with a trip to Toronto to take on the #5 Ryerson Rams and Toronto Varsity Blues next weekend. Both games tip off at 6 p.m. and are streaming live on OUA.tv
The annual Capital Hoops Classic between the Gee-Gees and Carleton Ravens is set for Feb. 7 at the Arena at TD Place. Student tickets are on sale now in Room 102 at Montpetit Hall. Adult tickets can be purchased online at TD Place's website.