Women's Basketball - Game Report

Hi Folks,

A couple of games in upper New York state, left us with a couple of wins as we head toward the regular season. On Friday we defeated Oswego State in a low scoring affair, 49-29, and Saturday we won a close battle with William Smith College, 57-54.

Friday’s game seemed a little like slow motion as we adjusted to a 30 second shot clock (instead of 24 sec.). While 6 seconds doesn’t sound like much, it really did seem to draw on at times – possibly because we forced Oswego into numerous shot clock violations (extending the full 30 seconds). We only took 55 shots in the whole game, easily down 10-15 shots from most games. While not scoring a lot, our defence was quite effective, allowing only 9 first half points, while scoring 21. The second half was much more competitive, registering a 28-20 advantage. All 12 players scored, with no one player playing more than 22 minutes. Liz Boag finished with 8 points, while Meaghan MacDougall chipped in with 7. Robyn Pearson grabbed a game high 8 boards, while Hanna Koposhynska added 7 boards and 6 points in her first game in 3 weeks after recovering from a knee injury.

Q’s SID report: http://www.gogaelsgo.com/news/2012/11/2/WBB_1102124418.aspx?path=wbball

Saturday’s game against William Smith was a much faster-paced game allowing us to put up 79 shots (compared to 55 the night before). Our problem, however, was our lack of accuracy, connecting on only 20 of those 79 (25.3%). William Smith had a good mix of quick, outside players (with 3-point capability) and big inside players that could muscle the ball to the hoop. In a back and forth affair where neither team had more than a 5 point lead, the score was tied 6 times and the lead changed 9 times in the opening half which, fittingly ended in a 28 all tie. Nine seconds into the second half, Gemma Bullard hit a 3-pointer (as she did in the opening half) that gave us a lead that we never relinquished. We built our largest lead, 53-43 with less than 4 minutes to play only to have William Smith run off 8 straight points to close to within 2 with 1:24 remaining. That was as close as they would get as we moved on to the 57-54 final. Gemma Bullard finished with 12 points, while Sydney Kernahan finished with a double-double, 12 points and 13 rebounds. Robyn Pearson had another solid performance almost recording a double-double of her own, 9 points and 11 boards.

Q’s SID report: http://www.gogaelsgo.com/news/2012/11/2/WBB_1102124418.aspx?path=wbball

In other news, I am very pleased to announce that the former Physical Education Centre (PEC) will be re-opening (partially) within the next couple of months. Coming back on-line will be the 3 gymnasiums. This will almost double our current court space, allowing for more time and alleviating some of the pressures on the current facilities.

Our pre-season is now finished with a 7-4 overall record. League play begins this Friday (November 9th). As with past years, our league schedule usually has back to back games (Fri/Sat), but with RMC out of the league, we become the “single” school. In other words, we will continue to play 2 games each weekend, while our opponents will only be preparing and playing against us. While it is a significant competitive disadvantage, we have faced it several times before and been successful (prior to RMC joining the CIS). It will alter our usual pattern of games on occasion, including this weekend.

Up Next at Home:
Friday, November 9 vs. Wilfrid Laurier 6pm
Sunday, November 11 vs. Waterloo 1pm

Up Next on the Road:
Friday, November 16 @ Lakehead 6pm
Saturday, November 17 @ Guelph 6pm

Have a great week!

Dave.