KINGSTON, Ont. (February 27, 2016)- The Queen's Gaels women's basketball team ended their regular season schedule with a  75-70 loss to the Toronto Varsity Blues at the Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC) on Saturday evening.
 
Fighting for a higher seeding in the OUA playoff race, the Blues (8-11) spoiled a special night offensively for Jenny Wright, who shot 10-of-20 from the field and finished with a season-high 28 points. Wright was just one rebound shy of a double-double, finishing with nine boards, two assists, five steals, and four blocks while going an impressive 5-of-8 from beyond the arc.
 
The Gaels (14-5) shot 34.8% (24-69) from the field, compared to 38.1% (24-63) from the Blues. Emily Hazlett picked up 13 points, and was the only other Queen's player to hit the double-digit scoring mark, while Rahshida Atkinson scored a game-high 32 points to help Toronto finish conference play with two straight victories.
 
GAME FLOW
The hosts missed 11 of their first 12 field-goal attempts to start the contest, and the teams combined for two baskets and just five points overall through the first five minutes of the opening quarter. Wright (Kingston) got off to a strong start, hitting two three-point jumpers in the first, the second of which helped enliven the Gaels offence in the latter stages of the period. Queen's hit four of its next five baskets, and took a 16-13 lead through 10 minutes of play.
 
Atkinson began the second with a three for the Blues to even the game, but Wright responded with a steal and fast-break lay-up that kept Queen's in front. The guests were able, however, to grab the lead soon after, going up 22-20 with just over six minutes left in the half.
 
With the Blues in the bonus, Hazlett moved her team back in front using her speed to force two fouls in transition. The Fredericton, N.B. native hit 3-of-4 free throws to give the Gaels a two-point lead. A floater by Marianne Alarie (Sudbury, Ont.) gave the hosts a four-point lead, but Atkinson continued to remain money from beyond the arc, hitting her third three of the game to keep the Blues within striking distance. Two made free-throws by the third-year guard gave Toronto a 30-29 lead at halftime.
 
The Gaels shot 28.2% from the field in the first half, compared to a 37.5% efficiency from Toronto. Atkinson led all players with 13 points in the half, while Wright recorded eight for the Gaels.
 
In her final regular season match wearing the blue and gold, the fifth-year guard continued to impress, dropping another long-range shot to help the hosts keep pace with the Blues. Wright would hit a long three with the shot clock winding down, but her efforts weren't enough to stop Toronto from building its first double-digit advantage with 1:32 remaining in the third quarter.
 
It was Wright who once again sparked her team as well as the home crowd, taking the pass on the inbounds and proceeding to zip down the length of the court for a lay-up while taking a foul. After the veteran hit her free-throw, Hazlett notched a corner three following a big defensive stop, and the Gaels sliced the deficit to four points heading into the final quarter.
 
Wright and Atkinson exchanged three-pointers to begin the final quarter, and then Toronto once again was able to build up a considerable lead, mostly on the back of Atkinson who continued to give the Gael defence fits.
 
A couple of crucial turnovers made the comeback that much more difficult for the Gaels. After Wright stole the ball and found Alarie for a mid-range jumper to bring the women within three, the Gaels committed three turnovers over the final minute that allowed the Blues to stretch the lead out of their reach. A late desperation three by Hazlett found the net, but Atkinson made the most of her free throws after getting put on the line, clinching the win for Toronto.
 
FINAL SAY
"We were obviously a bit tired from what I saw," said Head Coach Dave Wilson. "We were flat, and hoped we could come out with a bit more energy tonight after (the loss to Ryerson last night), but it just wasn't there. We had spurts but couldn't maintain it."
 
"That is what she's done her whole career. She's an outstanding athlete and when she goes at it, she's hard to stop. She shot the three extremely well, she attacked the rim well. She a real threat anywhere on the basketball court."
 
BY THE NUMBERS
28- Jenny Wright picked up a season-best 28 points against Toronto
50- The teams combined for 50 turnovers in a scrappy affair; Queen's had 26, Toronto 24
20- The rebounding difference; Queen's pulled down 52 rebounds, compared to 32 from Toronto
 
UP NEXT
The Gaels, who finish second in the OUA East, begin their playoff journey next week. The women's seeding and opponent will be determined based on their RPI rating. Stay tuned to gogaelsgo.com for more information.