BOX SCORE KINGSTON, Ont. (January 12, 2013) – The Queen's Gaels (6-6) women's basketball team was in action Saturday evening against the Laurentian Lady Vees (4-7) in their fourth match of the new year. The 6-6 Gaels were able to ride a strong third quarter and stingy defense late in the fourth quarter to surpass the Lady Vees 74-69.
The Gaels were the first to put points on the board with
Robyn Pearson (Toronto) making two free throw shots. The Lady Vees were quick to respond however going on an 8-0 run, with six of those points coming off back-to-back three-point shots. Queen's then halted Laurentian's run with second-year wing
Gemma Bullard (Guelph, Ont.) kick-starting the Gaels scoring with an easy lay-in. Kingston native and Regiopolis-Notre Dame alumnus
Jenny Wright followed Bullard's efforts up with a jumper and three-point shot to pull the Gaels within one. Both teams proceeded to exchange baskets until late in the quarter when the Gaels were able to pull ahead.
Hanna Koposhynska (Missassauga, Ont.) was very effective in the post, knocking down two lay-ups and grabbing pivotal defensive rebounds to prevent further Lady Vees scoring. Bullard was able to knock down a timely shot from beyond the arc late in the frame to put the Gaels up four, 25-21.
Queen's opened the second quarter on a 10-4 scoring run, led by strong shooting from Rachel Urosevic (Waterloo, Ont.) who knocked down two three-point shots within 40 seconds. Laurentian responded by taking the ball to the net in hopes of drawing fouls. The Lady Vees were able to attract some Gaels fouls and knocked down five of six from the line. Despite drawing within one, at 35-34, Laurentian could not pull even with Queen's as Koposhynska hit a mid-range jump shot to give the Gaels a 37-34 lead going into the break.
In the third quarter, Queen's and Laurentian exchanged baskets until the five minute mark when the Gaels were able to build a large lead. With under four minutes remaining in the period, the Gaels went on a 12-3 run masterminded by Wright who scored four of the points, and recorded an assist on the scoring spree. Queen's was leading 59-47 going into the fourth quarter, carrying much of the momentum.
Leading by 12 going into the final period it appeared the Gaels were headed towars a victory—the Lady Vees however were not quite finished. Laurentian opened the fourth on a 7-3 run, headlined by back-to-back Jenna Davidson (North Bay, Ont.) three-point shots. The Lady Vees and Gaels exchanged baskets until the five minute mark when Laurentian was able to orchestrate a scoring run. An Emma Delcoe (Sunridge, Ont.) two point jumper followed by a Davidson three pointer started the 12-4 Lady Vees run that brought them within one point, 70-69. A clutch steal by Queen's rookie guard
Emily Hazlett (Fredericton) halted the Laurentian run and led to a Wright lay-up. Hazlett then made her third steal of the game on Sasha Polishchuk which led to Wright getting fouled and making both free throws to close out the match 74-69.
Jenny Wright was named the Gaels player of the game, recording a season-high 24 points, five assists and four rebounds.
The Queen's Gaels women's basketball team hopes to keep their momentum going as they visit the Ottawa Gee-Gees on Friday. Tip-off is set for 6pm in Ottawa.
