Sunday, March 5, 2017

Women's Basketball - Final Four Game Report

Hi Folks,

Hosting the Final Four this weekend, we were disappointed in coming away with only a Silver medal.  We defeated Windsor in the opening round, 64-56 before falling to Carleton 41-49 in the Gold medal match.  With the Silver medal, however, we have qualified for the National Final 8 and will be heading to Victoria this week.

Queen’s Athletics did a fantastic job in promoting and hosting the OUA Final Four Weekend.  About 1,500 people were on hand for our Friday game against Windsor creating a terrific atmosphere and excitement.  Extra stands and floor seating were brought in for Saturday’s Gold medal match in anticipation of a sell-out …… and with good reason.  With seating capacity of just over 1,900 (without the extra seating), we topped 2,000 people for the game, which, along with the additional floor seating, included standing room around the atrium and catwalks.  It created an exciting, electric atmosphere, complete with posters, signs, and noise makers.  It was a lot of fun.

OUA All-Star selections were announced this week, and Queen’s was well represented.  Robyn Pearson garnered her second consecutive First Team All-Star selection, while Emily Hazlett was also selected to the First Team.  Andrea Priamo received a Second Team All-Star nod, and Bridget Mulholland was recognized on the All-Rookie Team.  Our coaching staff received their second Coach of the Year honours in the last four seasons.

Queen’s 64 – Windsor 56
The game was very tight off the start, trading baskets for the first couple of minutes, before we went on a 9-2 run to take a 13-6 lead.  Windsor scored 4 unanswered to pull within 3, before we opened the lead back to 7.  A late 3 by Windsor brought the score to 17-13 in our favour at the end of the opening quarter.  Our pressure defense continued to pay dividends as we ran the lead up to 11 mid-way through the second before hitting a scoring drought and finishing the half in a 32 all tie.  The third quarter was a back and forth affair, with the score tied numerous times, and Windsor, grabbing a 1 point lead mid-way through the quarter.  Their lead was short-lived and we finished with a 2 point lead after out-scoring them 18-16.  Our lead remained in the 2-4 point range until the just under the 4 minute mark, when Windsor’s fatigue seem to take hold.  We closed the game very well, holding Windsor to only 8 points in the quarter, while scoring 14 to finish with the 64-56 victory.  Emily Hazlett had an outstanding game with 22 points, 6 boards, 5 assists and 2 steals.  Andrea Priamo finished with 13 points, while Robyn Pearson chipped in with 11 points and 7 boards.


Queen’s 41 – Carleton 49
Carleton has the number 1 ranked defense in the country, and we are ranked number 5.  To some extent, this explains the score, although throw in some ugly shooting stats (even when uncontested) and you end up with a score like this.  Not really much to report on this “slug-fest” as the quarter scores were: 11-12, 10-14, 7-10 and 13-13.  Despite taking 76 shots to their 59 and outrebounding them 61-47, we only shot 19% from the floor (to their 27%), leaving us with the 8-point deficit and our second Silver medal in 4 years.  Emily Hazlett finished with 14 points and Marianne Alarie added 12.  Robyn Pearson hit double digits with a whopping 18 boards to go along with her 7 points.


Up Next on the Road:
U Sports National Final 8 – Victoria, BC
Opening round games: Thursday, March 9 (teams & times to be announced)


Have a great week!

Dave.