NORTH BAY, Ont. - The Laurier Golden Hawks pulled away from the Nipissing Lakers after a gutsy second-half performance in North Bay on Friday night to win their first game of the season 66-58, in their first game of a back-to-back.
The Golden Hawks went down early in the game as Nipissing was able to go on a 10-3 run to open the game, largely due to the play of their leading point scorer, Chantal Piche.
Piche logged 33 minutes for the Lakers and finished with a team-high 14 points, three rebounds and an assist.
Laurier was able to claw their way back into the game, as the scoring slowed for the Lakers. As the first quarter came to a close, 17-13 in favour of the Lakers, this was the second game in a row where the Golden Hawks trailed after one.
The second quarter proved to be a defensive battle with both teams not willing to give an inch, but it was Laurier's
Keira Aikman who spurred the Golden Hawks on offensively.
Aikman finished the game with a game and season-high 21 points, while also being a defensive threat in the paint, posting six rebounds with a steal and a block, all done with only 22 minutes played.
Still, after the first half had come and gone in North Bay, the score read 28-27 in favour of Nipissing, but Laurier was not going to let this game slide away from them.
It was a big second half that lifted the Golden Hawks to their first win of the season, outscoring the Nipissing Lakers 39-30.
Another standout Golden Hawk was the veteran guard from Newmarket, Ont.
Brittyn Graves, who pulled through with a clutch 14 points, alongside three rebounds, three assists, and a steal to cap off a great night for the fifth-year player.
Graves and Aikman combined for over half the Golden Hawks' points, proving that their veteran presence is able to carry this version of the Laurier women's basketball team to wins.
Nipissing was down big, halfway through the second half, trailing as much as 56-45, before a late-stage attempt to come back was put to rest by the Golden Hawks.
It was a breath of fresh air for the Golden Hawks as their 3-point shooting was effective, going 8 for 22 from beyond the arc to end the night with a 36.4% 3-point percentage - their best of the season so far.
The Golden Hawks also set a season-high in points scored and a season-low in points allowed. A true all-around win for a team.
Up Next:
The Golden Hawks look to sweep their northern swing as they play on Halloween in Sudbury against the Laurentian Voyagers.
Tip-off is scheduled for a special 4:00 pm and will be streamed live for subscribers on OUA.tv
