Ottawa Ont. – The Golden Hawks (8-7) took on the #10-ranked Ottawa Gee-Gees (13-3) this past Saturday at Montpetit Hall in Ottawa. Heading into the game, both teams were coming off losses less than 24 hours earlier.
The Gee-Gees started the first quarter very hot, scoring the game's opening basket on the first possession. The Gee-Gees continued to dominate play until a Laurier time out was called three minutes into the quarter. When the Golden Hawks stepped back onto the court they were playing with a new sense of calm, nearly going point-for-point with the Gee Gees for the remainder of the quarter.
The second quarter showed much of the same as the battle between the Gee-Gees and the Golden Hawks continued. The Gee-Gees kept their lead throughout the quarter partially due to the height advantage afforded to them through forwards Emily Payne and Melina Du Luilo, who both proved lethal under the basket. At the end of the quarter Brittyn Graves and Kate White led the Golden Hawks with six points a piece, as the Golden Hawks trailed by 19.
The third was the lowest-scoring quarter for both teams, with Ottawa getting 17 points while Laurier scored eight. Fourth year guard Miranda Campbell acted as an anchor for her team in the quarter, playing strong offence and defence despite the tough score. One reason the Golden Hawks seemed to struggle in the third would be the high turnover rate they saw when in the Gee-Gees key, many players seemed to loose possession quickly and struggle to get offensive rebounds.
Campbell continued to act as an anchor for the Golden Hawks, getting five of their nine points in the fourth quarter to finish with a team-high 12 points.
Alexa Sawchuck and Kate White were also both able to get on the score sheet for the Golden Hawks, but the Gee Gees secured the win, 80-42. It was Ottawa's fourth straight victory over Laurier and sixth in their past eight meetings.
With back-to-back defeats and losses in four of their past games, Laurier have dropped to .500 on the season and, at 8-8, currently sit in fifth-place in the OUA West.
TOP PERFORMERS
Laurier Golden Hawks
#14 – Miranda Campbell
Campbell was a true leader for team and showed determination and perseverance. Though she did not have her best game scoring-wise, she showed up to play every time she was on the court. Campbell led her team in points with 12, and also grabbed three rebounds and four steals.
Ottawa Gee-Gees
#15 – Emily Payne
Gee-Gees forward Payne proved to be an absolute weapon in the key and was seen getting offensive and defensive rebounds as well as putting almost every ball in the net. Payne set a new career-high of 20 points during the game and managed a double-double with 14 rebounds as well.
UP NEXT
The Golden Hawks remain on the road for their next game, this Friday, February 2. The purple and gold take on the #3-ranked Queen's Gaels (15-2, second in the OUA East) at 6 p.m. in Kingston.
Stream the game live on OUA.tv or stay up to date @WLUAthletics.
