KINGSTON, Ont. (January 13, 2017) - In a battle between two of the best teams in the conference, the Queen's Gaels women's basketball team persevered for a thrilling 79-75 overtime victory over the division rival Ryerson Rams on Friday night at the Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC).
 
Abby Dixon scored a season-high 21 points for the Gaels, who rallied for an overtime triumph after the Rams banked in a three-point bucket to even the game with only seconds remaining in regulation, sending the contest to an extra frame. Dixon was 5-of-11 from the field and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line while picking up two steals and three assists.
 
Veterans Emily Hazlett and Robyn Pearson each added 11 points in the victory, as the No. 5 Gaels improve their unblemished conference record to 9-0 and take a stranglehold on first-place in the OUA East division. Sofia Paska dropped a game-high 25 in a losing cause for the No. 6 Rams, who drop to 8-2 on the season.

 

GAME FLOW
After the nationally-ranked squads exchanged baskets in the early moments of the contest, Nicole DiDominico drained a three in transition to put the Rams up 13-8 at the midway point of the opening quarter. Both offenses stymied themselves in the latter stages of the quarter, committing multiple turnovers as a result of some ambitious pass attempts and high on-ball pressure from the respective defenses.
 
The hosts used a 6-0 streak to move in front of the Rams to take their first lead of the night with just over a minute left in the first, and held a 16-15 lead after the opening period. Pearson (Toronto) led all players with six points in opening quarter, but also picked up two personals, which minimized her minutes for the rest of the half.
 
That didn't seem to have any effect on the Gaels early in the second, as the hosts went on a 6-2 run to open the period. The Gaels jumped ahead by the halftime break when Hazlett (Fredericton, N.B.) followed up a basket with a penetration drive and kick-out to Sarah Saftich (Markham, Ont.), who nailed a three to give the hosts a 36-30 lead after the opening two quarters.
 
Both squads shot 41% in the first half while combining for 20 turnovers. Kellie Ring led all players with 11 points for Ryerson, while Pearson had a team-high seven for Queen's.
 
The Rams started the second half on a 5-0 run by going to their star post player Paska, who notched five of the Rams first seven points of the third. Paska, who was quiet during the first two quarters, then hit back-to-back jump-shots to push Ryerson back in front 41-40.
 
The Gaels would respond, as Dixon (North Vancouver, B.C) came up with two consecutive defensive plays, following up a steal that led to two made free-throws by forcing a jump-ball on Ryerson's next possession. Queen's held a one-point lead heading into the final quarter.
 
A three by Dixon pushed the Gaels lead up to two after the guests began the fourth quarter with a bucket. Another turn-around jumper from Paska once again evened the game at 52-52, but Hazlett nailed a critical corner three that brought the ARC crowd to its feet with just over six minutes left in the game. Andrea Priamo (Guelph, Ont.) pushed the lead to five, but the Rams took the next four points as the momentum continued to shift back and forth for the division rivals.
 
Dixon then got put on the line, and drained both free throws to give Queen's a three-point lead. After Ryerson brought the lead down to one, Hazlett responded with a basket in the paint, restoring the lead to three. With 16 seconds remaining in regulation, however, DiDominico hit a three off the glass to even the game and send it into overtime.
 
The Gaels responded swiftly in the extra period, building a steady four-point lead that was maintained by critical back-to-back jumpers from Pearson with time running down. Marianne Alarie (Sudbury, Ont.) put the game on ice with two made free-throws with under 10 seconds remaining.
 
FINAL SAY
"It was an extremely tough game," said head coach Dave Wilson. "There was never a lead that was more than six points, they are a very good basketball team and it took everything we had just to hold our own in that game."
 
"I thought we held our composure for the full 45 minutes of the game, and that hasn't necessarily been the case in the past. I think our team has matured considerably, and by us not losing our cool when Ryerson had their little runs, it didn't phase us as much. Even though we struggled with our shooting in the second half, we were still confident going into overtime."
 
On Abby Dixon's performance
"The thing we enjoy about Abby the most is her defense. She has really stepped up this year to become a leader in terms of pressuring key players and the fact that she can do that and turnaround and make her shots is a testament to the shape that she is in. She's been outstanding for us this year."
 
BY THE NUMBERS
6- The largest lead throughout Friday's contest
10- The amount of lead changes that occurred throughout the game
76.9%- The Gaels were 20-of-26 from the free-throw line,
50- The women picked up 50 rebounds on the night, their second-highest total of the season
 
UP NEXT
The Gaels return to action on Saturday evening at the ARC, where they will host the Toronto Varsity Blues. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. and the game can be seen live on OUA.tv. For ticket information visit www.gogaelsgo.com/tickets.