ST. LAWRENCE (K) 55, HUMBER 49
HAMILTON, Ont. - The participants in the bronze medal game at the 2014 belairdirect Ontario Colleges Athletic Association Women's Basketball Championship is decided after a 28-point fourth quarter vaulted the St. Lawrence Vikings past the Humber Hawks in the second of two bronze medal semi-finals played on Saturday morning in the David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre.
St. Lawrence continued to press Humber early, possibly attempting to wear the Hawks down, who suffered a tough loss the night before in their gold medal semi-final versus Mohawk. The Vikings caused a few turnovers early and jumped out to a 9-2 lead.
Then Humber went on a 9-2 run of their own to finish the first quarter tied 11-11. The Hawks continued their good play into the second quarter, starting the frame with six straight points. The Hawks woman-to-woman defence held St. Lawrence to just seven points in the second quarter, and only nine in the third, giving Humber a 13-point lead going into the final period.
Humber looked to be in control of the game in the third. The low-post play of Chioma Oriuwa and Brenda Carachure looked to be too physical for the Vikings too handle.
The Vikings' shooters woke up in the fourth quarter, however, putting 28 points on the board, outscoring their total from the first three quarters combined.
The Vikings were ice cold from downtown, going 0-of-13 from behind the arc in the first-half. Then St. Lawrence's player of the game, Lacey Knox, put her team on her back, making four three-point shots in the second half. Knox shot 50 per cent from the floor with a game-high 27 points. She also chipped in with six rebounds, five steals, three blocks, and one assist.
For the second game in a row Humber's final quarter was their worst. The relentless pressure the Vikings threw at the Hawks finally go to them, holding the West Division leaders to nine points, causing a 19-point swing in defeat.
Humber's player of the game was Natalie Hagopian, whom scored 13 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, added three steals, and dished out one assist.
St. Lawrence will face the St. Clair Saints for their chance at an OCAA bronze medal at 5 p.m.
Championship Website: www.mohawkcollege.ca/athletics/ocaawbballchampionship.html
OCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Thursday, February 27
Quarter-Finals
Game 1 - St. Clair 64, St. Lawrence-K 61
Game 2 - Algonquin 73, Fanshawe 43
Game 3 - Mohawk 64, Durham 50
Game 4 - Humber 67, Sheridan 55
Friday, February 28
Bronze Quarter-Finals
Game 5 - St. Lawrence-K 59, Fanshawe 51
Game 6 - Sheridan 69, Durham 61
Semi-Finals
Game 7 - Algonquin 76, St. Clair 47
Game 8 - Mohawk 65, Humber 43
Saturday, March 1
Bronze Semi-Finals
Game 9 - St. Clair 76, Sheridan 46
Game 10 - St. Lawrence-K 55, Humber 49
Bronze Medal Match
Game 11 - St. Clair vs. St. Lawrence-K - 5 p.m.
Winning team presented OCAA Bronze Medal at conclusion of match
Gold Medal Match
Game 12 - Algonquin vs. Mohawk - 7 p.m.
OCAA Gold and Silver Medals presented at conclusion of match
Source: Mohawk College
