WATERLOO, Ont. - The Golden Hawks extended their win streak to four with a dominant performance at home against the Varsity Blues on Friday.
Cassidy Hirtle led the way with 19 points, while the other four starters – Kate White, Miranda Campbell, Brittyn Graves, and Janet Enge – all joined her with ten or more points each.
"That's something that we've been talking about even more so lately, is when we move the ball to the open person, we're ready to take high-percentage shots," said Manager of women's basketball operations and head coach Paul Falco.
"We're really tough to guard, because we have a lot of different people who can knock down shots and a bunch that can attack the rim, and I think I think even in the last two weeks, we're starting to figure that out a bit more. You saw that tonight where we had a lot of people contributing offensively and a lot of assists."
Hirtle and Campbell combined for 12 of Laurier's 16 helpers with six each – a new career-high for Hirtle and season-high for Campbell.
It took the purple and gold some time to establish themselves, with Toronto matching them bucket for bucket to begin the game. A 6-0 run midway through the first quarter gave the Golden Hawks a six-point lead, and they never looked back.
Leading 21-14 heading into the second, Laurier began to really pull away, outscoring the Varsity Blues 27-15 in the quarter. The Golden Hawks shot an impressive 50% from the field in the first half, including 55% from three-point range.
A lot of Laurier's offence in this game was created by their defence. With 26 of their points coming off Toronto's 22 turnovers. The Golden Hawks combined for a whopping 15 steals in the game – Campbell and Enge led the team with three each.
"A lot of it was mostly in the half court. We weren't pressing a lot, but when we sort of figured out their action a little bit and when we were switching on some of it, we were able to really have active hands in the passing lane and on some of their entry passes," explained Falco.
Trailing 48-29 at the break, Toronto began to play with more desperation on offence in the third quarter. Laurier's defence held strong, forcing a lot of low-percentage shots from the Blues, who made just one of their 12 attempts from the field in the period.
The lead had grown to 73-36 to start the fourth quarter. The Golden Hawks didn't let up, with Graves and Hirtle scoring early to halt any momentum Toronto might have hoped to gain. Falco then turned to his bench, with Khailan O'Connor leading the team with four points in the period.
With the win, Laurier improves their record to 12-9 with just one game remaining in the regular season. They sit in ninth place in the OUA, just one game ahead of Saturday's Senior Day opponent; the Western Mustangs.
"We're trying to stick to our plan of improving week after week and really game to game. And I think we've done that. We had a bit of a learning lesson down in Ottawa, and I think we were able to sort of reset and get back to playing our style of basketball," said Falco.
Since dropping three straight on the road against the OUA's top three teams (Carleton, Ottawa, and Queen's), the Golden Hawks have won their last four, outscoring their opponents by 30 or more points in three of those wins.
"I feel like we are playing our best basketball right now in mid-February, so that bodes well. But every game is a different challenge, and we have to come ready to play against a tough western team tomorrow."
TOP PERFORMERS
Laurier Golden Hawks
#14 – Miranda Campbell
Campbell was all over the court for Laurier, leading or co-leading the team in rebounds (nine), assists (six), and steals (three), while adding 12 points.
"She just worked so hard," said Falco. "Lately, her rebounding has been crazy good at both ends... her compete level has been strong. She's always looking to attack, but she's also starting to figure out when she needs to move it and get it back."
"Her ability to pass, attack, defend and rebound, that makes her a complete player, and she's playing really good basketball the last couple of weeks."
Toronto Varsity Blues
#13 – Sabrina Nero
Nero was solid on both ends for the Varsity Blues. She contributed nine points and two assists while leading her team in rebounds (eight), blocks (two), and steals (three).
UP NEXT
Tip-off against the Mustangs is set for 6 p.m. at the Athletic Complex. Tickets are on sale now.
