RECAP: #3 Gee-Gees defeat #9 Windsor and #7 Western in Top 10 road weekend
The Gee-Gees women’s basketball team earned two key wins in Southwestern Ontario to close regular season road schedule.
JAN. 31 at #9 WINDSOR
In a clash of two of the OUA's perennial powers, the U SPORTS third-ranked Gee-Gees defeated the ninth-ranked Windsor Lancers by a 66-55 final tally on Friday night.
Vaulted by a dominant first quarter where Ottawa held Windsor to only nine points in the frame, the Gee-Gees grabbed momentum early and were able to ride it to another ranked win on the road.
Ottawa held a 36-24 lead at the half, but a strong third quarter from the Lancers had the Gee-Gees' lead down to single-digits early in the final frame.
An 8-2 run for the Gee-Gees in the heart of the fourth quarter sealed the win and pushed the team's win streak to 12.
The Gee-Gees used a balanced attack on offence to down the Lancers, with seven players logging two or more points in the game. Defensively, the team was all over the Lancers, contributing to 23 turnovers in the game.
Brooklynn McAlear-Fanus led way with a strong 22 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and three steals. Tyra Blizzard in her return to the St. Denis Centre scored 12 points and added six rebounds against her former team. Katherine Follis added nine points and six rebounds in the win.
FEB. 1 at #7 WESTERN
Playing a second ranked opponent in as many nights, the Gee-Gees travelled to London to take on the seventh-ranked Western Mustangs. In an outstanding effort, the Ottawa handed Western their first home loss of the season, winning 85-79.
The teams wasted no time going each other, with Ottawa relying on their inside presence for quick baskets early. Up by four points after the first quarter, the Gee-Gees were met by an outstanding attack from the Mustangs in the second frame.
Western erased the deficit and battled to hold a one-point 39-38 lead at halftime. Back from the locker rooms, the Gee-Gees came out firing, posting an 8-0 run to establish their first sizeable lead in the game.
McAlear-Fanus began to take the game over in the late stages, scoring and setting up teammates to hold the team's double-digit lead into the final minutes of play.
Two three-pointers from Blizzard were key as the Mustangs made a final push to try to get back in the game. Ultimately, the Gee-Gees held on defence and secured the win to close the weekend with two more ranked wins on their resume.
McAlear-Fanus capped off a standout weekend with 26 points, six assists, and two rebounds. Follis had 12 points and six rebounds, Blizzard had 11 points, while Savannah Provo and Angela Ribarich both had nine points.
UP NEXT:
The Gee-Gees will prepare to take on the fifth-ranked Carleton Ravens at the annual Capital Hoops Classic on Feb. 7 at the Arena at TD Place.
Student tickets are on sale now in Room 102 at Montpetit Hall. General public tickets can be purchased online at TD Place's website.