WATERLOO, Ont. - The Golden Hawks were within one possession late in the fourth quarter, but a strong finish from the Waterloo Warriors resulted in a 68-64 loss for Laurier on Saturday afternoon in OUA women's basketball action at the PAC Gym.
The latest chapter of the Battle of Waterloo followed a familiar script, with neither team able to create much separation. Laurier led by as many as eight in the second quarter and carried a 40-34 advantage into halftime after outscoring Waterloo 26-16 in the frame.
Brittyn Graves led Laurier's attack, finishing with a team (and season) high 16 points, six rebounds and six steals in 36 minutes. Keira Aikman added 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for her double-double, while Isabella Cotton chipped in 10 points and nine boards as the Hawks controlled the glass, outrebounding Waterloo 42-35.
Laurier's defensive pressure helped generate offence, as the Hawks scored 17 points off turnovers and forced 21 Warrior giveaways. The visitors also held Waterloo to 25 per cent shooting from the free-throw line in the opening half.
Waterloo responded coming out of the break, outscoring Laurier 17-10 in the third quarter to erase the deficit. Ghiselle Poblete knocked down a pair of threes and finished with 15 points, while Olivia Tomlin provided a spark off the bench with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The fourth quarter became a grind, with both teams trading stops and timely baskets. Laurier hit three triples in the final frame, including a key Graves three with under four minutes remaining, but Waterloo answered with clutch shooting down the stretch and converted three free throws in the final quarter to secure the win.
Tomlin's shot-making and Poblete's all-around play guided the Warriors late, while Kymora Stafford sealed the result at the line in the final seconds.
Laurier shot 34.8 per cent from the field and 28.0 per cent from three, while Waterloo finished at 40.3 per cent overall.
The Golden Hawks (4-12) return to action Friday when they travel to London to face the Western Mustangs (9-7). Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. and can be seen live on OUA.tv
