WATERLOO, Ont. – It was a harsh home opener for the Golden Hawks on Friday night, as the visiting Ottawa Gee-Gees defeated Laurier 74-57 to hand the purple and gold their third straight defeat to start the season.

With two very close losses by a combined eight points last weekend in the rear-view mirror, Laurier looked to start strong against last year's OUA semifinalists - and they did just that, finding themselves down by only two after the opening 10 minutes of play, 16-14.

That was thanks to an 8-3 run over the final 2:33 of the first quarter after going down 13-6. A balanced scoring attack saw Kate White, Janet Enge, Dylann Mazzuchin, and Brittyn Graves all pitch in three points apiece. 

Laurier manager of women's basketball operations and head coach Paul Falco explained after the game how "mixing up our man and zone defence gave them some trouble."

The Gee-Gees made some adjustments of their own in the quarter break and it resulted in building their biggest lead of the game (13) while holding the Golden Hawks to just seven points in the second. 

With Emily Payne and Allie McCarthy combining for 12 of Ottawa's 18 points in the quarter, the Gee-Gees headed into halftime up 34-21.

Ottawa continued to pour it on to start the second half, eventually recording their best offensive quarter of the game with 24 points. Natsuki Szczokin wa the main catalyst, surpassing her six first half points with eight in the third alone.

After being held without a point in just 11 first half minutes, Cassidy Hirtle finally got on the scoresheet with five of her own to lead the Golden Hawks charge. 

With four other Golden Hawks combining for only 10 points combined though, Ottawa increased their advantage to 22 points after three.

In the fourth, and the scoreline growing by as much as 26 in favour of the visitors, Laurier rookie Ella Thomas saw some extended floor time and took advantage of the opportunity.

Having played just 11 minutes and recording three points up until then, Thomas got into a shooting rhythm, connecting on a trio of threes to finish with 11 in the frame and 14 total on the night.

White, Laurier's athlete of the week after a career-best 30 point performance against McMaster on Sunday, was the only other Golden Hawk to finish in double-digits with 10. 

With another seven points in the fourth, Ottawa's Szczokin finished with a game-high 21. McCarthy was right behind her with 20.

After the game, Falco commented how, "in the later quarters, I think our inability to score allowed them to get their game going. Their offensive rebounding hurt us too."

That was certainly the case, as the Gee-Gees dominated the points in the paint, 44-20.

Reflecting on Thomas' performance, Falco admitted that the team's first-year guard "is going to be a very important piece for us as we move forwards."
 

Up Next

The Golden Hawks (0-3) will host the defending champion Carleton Ravens, who are undefeated to start the season (3-0) on Saturday, November 2.

Tip- off is at 6pm in the Laurier AC. Tickets are available now.

Fans can also catch the game live on OUA.tv or follow @WLUAthletics on X for live updates.