OTTAWA — The Ottawa Gee-Gees used a dominant defensive performance and a decisive third-quarter surge to defeat the Golden Hawks 78–42 in OUA women's basketball action Saturday afternoon at Montpetit Hall.
Laurier (2-5) opened the game well and matched Ottawa (5-2) through much of the first quarter, sparked by guard Kate White's early scoring.
After Ottawa's Ivany Rheault-Languet opened the game with a jumper, White replied with a basket in the paint, then added two early three-pointers to keep the Hawks within striking distance.
Her third triple tied the game 14–14 with 2:35 left in the opening frame, the only tie of the afternoon.
The Gee-Gees responded quickly though and never relinquished control, closing the first leading 16–13, then outscoring Laurier 23–13 in the second quarter to build a 39–26 halftime advantage.
Turnovers hampered the Hawks throughout, committing seven in the first quarter and 25 overall. Ottawa capitalized efficiently, turning those errors into 20 points.
The third quarter proved decisive. Ottawa shot 67% in the frame while limiting the Hawks to just five points on 2-for-19 shooting.
The Gee-Gees' interior presence overwhelmed Laurier, outscoring the visitors 14–2 in the paint during the quarter and 44–22 overall.
White led Laurier with 14 points and four rebounds, Brittyn Graves added 10 points, and guard Martina Errazo contributed five points, three rebounds and a steal. Maya Fuerth supplied seven points and three steals off the bench.
Ottawa's Bailey Russell led all scorers with 23 points, while adding six assists and three steals. Allie McCarthy followed with 17 points and seven rebounds, and Monika Reid added 13 off the bench as the Gee-Gees' reserves outscored Laurier's 27–9.
Ottawa shot 58.8 per cent from the field and built its largest lead — 36 points — late in the fourth quarter.
Laurier continues its road swing next weekend and will aim to snap its five-game losing skid starting in Oshawa on Friday night against the winless Ontario Tech Ridgebacks (0-7).
Tip-off at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Centre is at 6 pm and all the action will be streamed live on OUA.tv
