RECAP: #1 Gee-Gees drop final two regular season matchups
The Gee-Gees women’s basketball team closed the regular season with narrow losses to #7 Brock and McMaster.
FEB. 14 vs #7 BROCK
On Friday night, the seventh-ranked Brock Badgers handed the Gee-Gees their first loss since November, winning by a 69-63 final score at Montpetit Hall.
The Badgers opened up as large as a 12-point lead late in the first quarter, leaving the Gee-Gees to respond to a feverous opening frame.
Battling back, the Gee-Gees shrunk the Badger lead to three points with two minutes left in the second. Ultimately, Brock held off the push and sat with a 36-32 lead at halftime.
Mid-way through the third, the Gee-Gees were within two points, but were unable to overtake the lead. Early in the fourth, Ottawa reclaimed the lead on a Brigitte Lefebvre-Okankwu jumper with 7:43 left in the game. Afterwards, Brock took the lead back a final time and closed out the six-point win.
Katherine Follis led way with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists. NatSuki Szczokin had 14 points and seven rebounds, while Brooklynn McAlear-Fanus had 12 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Lefebvre-Okankwu rounded out scorers in double-figures with 10 points and seven rebounds.
FEB. 15 vs MCMASTER
Looking to bounce back on Seniors' Night, the Gee-Gees were once again met with a strong performance from their opponent, finding themselves on the losing end of a 74-72 nail-biter.
Ottawa fell behind early once again, this time only being separated by a single point after the first frame. A tough second quarter saw the defending national champion Marauders close the first half with a 33-26 lead.
The Gee-Gees were blazing hot in the third frame, outscoring McMaster 30-20 to claim a 56-53 lead going into the final frame. To close the game, the teams battled, but the Marauders took control once again.
Ottawa had a chance to tie or win the game in the final possession, but their attempt fell short and McMaster secured the win.
Follis capped off an outstanding weekend with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while McAlear-Fanus and Lefebvre-Okankwu added 13 points. Tyra Blizzard had 11 points to round out players in double-figures.
UP NEXT:
The Gee-Gees secured the second seed in the OUA playoffs and will host a quarterfinal matchup on Saturday. Ottawa will wait to see the result of a matchup between York and Carleton on Wednesday to determine which team they will face.
Tip-off for the game will be set for 6 p.m. on Saturday.