GUELPH, Ont. – The Laurier Golden Hawks delivered a commanding performance today against the Guelph Gryphons, securing a 63-52 victory. 

A strong start and consistent defensive pressure helped Laurier maintain control throughout the game.

The game started with Laurier's Kate White making an early layup, setting the tone against the home team. 

Guelph responded with a lay-up from Lucy Tesseyman, but Laurier's defensive presence limited Guelph's offensive efficiency from the start. Golden Hawk Janet Enge came off the bench to provide a spark, scoring back-to-back baskets to tie the game at 6-6.

A three-pointer from Hannah Bourdon momentarily gave Guelph the lead, but Laurier answered with a long-range shot from Enge. 

Laurier then found its offensive rhythm, with Brittyn Graves and White contributing key baskets to take an 18-10 lead at the end of the first quarter while holding the Gryphons to just 21% shooting.

Laurier extended its lead early in the second quarter with a three-pointer from Cassidy Hirtle. Their defence continued to force Guelph into difficult shots, and the Golden Hawks capitalized on turnovers. 

A layup from Graves pushed the lead to 23-12, forcing Guelph to take a timeout.

Guelph attempted a comeback with baskets from Tesseyman and Bourdon, but Laurier's sharp shooting from beyond the arc, highlighted by White's three-pointer, kept them ahead. 

Despite a late push from Guelph, Laurier entered halftime with a 29-24 advantage. 

Laurier came out of halftime on a mission, with White draining a three-pointer to extend the lead. 

Miranda Campbell added a layup, and Hirtle continued her hot shooting with back-to-back three-pointers to make it 40-29. 

Laurier's defensive presence, led by White and Hirtle, forced multiple turnovers, which led to easy transition baskets. 

Graves and Hirtle combined for another scoring run, and by the end of the third, Laurier had built a 51-37 lead.

Guelph made one last effort to close the gap with a three-pointer from Bourdon and a jumper from Ousey Keryl, but Laurier responded with key baskets from Enge and Keira Aikman. 

White's late-game free throws secured the victory, as Laurier held off Guelph's attempts to mount a comeback. 

For the second time in the past three games, White finished with a double-double - her third of the season - with a game-high 19 points and 14 rebounds.

Enge (14 points) and Hirtle (11 points) rounded out the trio of Golden Hawks finishing in double-digits, offensively.

With three games to go, the purple and gold sit fourth in the OUA West, with one more win than the Waterloo Warriors in fifth. 

Up Next

The Laurier Golden Hawks (9-10) take on the Guelph Gryphons (10-6) in their final regular season home game on Saturday February 7 which also will double as the team's Senior Day.

Tip-off is at 1pm and tickets are available at tickets.laurierathletics.com

Fans unable to attend can catch the action live on OUA.tv or follow @WLUAthletics on X threads for live updates.