RECAP: Women’s basketball dominates four quarter to advance to OUA semi-final

The Gee-Gees women's basketball team found themselves facing the Waterloo Warriors in the OUA quarterfinal for the second consecutive year. The Gee-Gees avenged their 2022-23 season loss with a 74-65 win on the road, advancing to the OUA semi-final. 

Point guard, Natsuki Szczokin, was the leader for Ottawa. Coming alive in the third quarter, Szczokin finished the evening with 21 points, four assists and a steal in the effort.

Allie McCarthy and Ariane Saumure were not a part of the Gee-Gees team that saw their season end at the hands of the Warriors last season but were just as eager to make an impact on the court. 

McCarthy logged 15 points, going 3-5 from the three-point line and contributed six rebounds and a crucial block. Saumure registered 14 points, eight rebounds, and an impressive three steals.

At halftime, the Warriors had a 33-28 lead over the visiting Gee-Gees. Ottawa erased any trace of a deficit, taking complete control in the final ten minutes. The Warriors were held to only 13 points in the fourth quarter while the Gee-Gees logged 24 to take the win.

The 74-65 win advances the Gee-Gees to the OUA semi-final where they will be meeting their crosstown rivals, the #1 ranked Carleton Ravens. The Gee-Gees are 1-1 against the Ravens during the regular season, most recently falling to them in the Capital Hoops Classic. 

The game will be played on Wednesday night at the Ravens Nest. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. with the winning team advancing to the Critelli Cup.