WATERLOO, Ont. - The Golden Hawks women's basketball team got back in the win column in a big way on Friday night, defeating the Algoma Thunderbirds at the Laurier AC Gym, 66-37.

The 29-point win, which was the largest margin of victory on the season for the purple and gold, came at an opportune time as it snapped a four-game losing streak and kept the team's playoff hopes alive. 

Laurier got off to a fast start thanks to tight defence that held the Thunderbirds to just 11 points on 29% shooting. The Golden Hawks' aggressiveness on the offensive side of the ball saw them convert seven of their 19 points in the quarter from the free-throw line. Cassidy Hirtle and Maddy White led the way with six and five points, respectively.

The Golden Hawks continued asserting their dominance in the second quarter as they started to own the paint, out-rebounding Algoma 19-8. With Miranda Campbell leading Laurier with six points in the frame and the team scoring nine of its 18 points in the quarter from beyond the arc, the home side carried a 37-23 lead into halftime.

Coming out of the break, the Golden Hawks looked to be just that: golden. Over the next two quarters, they thoroughly outmatched the Thunderbirds, holding the visitors to 14 points. In the third quarter alone, they allowed one made field goal on Algoma's 17 attempts. Laurier also continued to control the glass, with 20 more rebounds to the Thundebirds' six in the frame.

The Golden Hawks got an added pleasant surprise in the fourth quarter as Janet Enge stepped up to lead the squad with nine points on her way to a game (and season) high 14 on the night. 

As the Golden Hawks coasted to impending victory in the fourth, Miranda Campbell added two more rebounds to finish with her second double-double of the season at 12 points and 14 rebounds.

Rookie forward Kate White also set a new career-high with 11 rebounds, the first time she finished in double-digits.


Top Performers
Laurier Golden Hawks
Miranda Campbell
Campbell accounted for 25% of the team's rebound total on the night while also finding her scoring touch in the paint, from the field, and beyond the arc.

Algoma Thunderbirds
Bethany Belaktsis
The Thunderbirds' leading scorer was just that again on Friday night, leading Algoma with 13 points in a game-high 32 minutes of action.


Up Next
With Laurier improving their record to 6-13 on the season, they will now look for the weekend sweep (and a Senior Day victory) on Saturday afternoon over Algoma. Tip-off is set for 2 pm and tickets are available now.

You can also follow @WLUAthletics on Twitter for live updates or catch the action live on OUAtv and RadioLaurier.com