NORTH BAY, Ont. (January 5, 2018) - The No 9 Queen's Gaels (10-1) picked up a win on the road, against the Nipissing Lakers (2-8), in their first game of 2018. The Gaels put in a dominant defensive performance as the Lakers scored only 24 compared to 68 for the Gaels and didn't hit double digits in points in any quarter.

GAME FLOW
Andrea Priamo (Guelph, Ont) opened the game with a huge block to set the tone for the rest of the night. She also got on the board by knocking down a 3-pointer, and the Gaels got out to an early lead. Queen's held Nipissing scoreless for nearly four minutes and managed to consistently score, going on a 14-0 run. Marianne Alarie (Sudbury, Ont) showed some fast hands this quarter, racking up two steals and Veronika Lavergne (Ottawa) had the hot hand offensively, scoring 11 points. The first quarter ended with the Gaels leading 22-6. 

The Gaels continued to pressure the Lakers defensively, only allowing nine points in the second. Their pressure kept Nipissing out of the paint and forced them to shoot tougher shots. The Gaels also slowed down offensively, missing layups and free-throws. Lavergne was the anchor on defence; she recorded a block and a steal this quarter, on top of three rebounds. The Gaels remained on top at the end of the 1st half, 32-15.

The Gaels looked much better, offensively, to open the third. They opened with an 8-0 run, with baskets coming from Priamo and Lavergne. Abby Dixon (North Vancouver, B.C.) recorded a steal, early in the third, and found Lavergne in the paint for the opening basket. It was Sophie de Goede (Victoria) who broke a scoring drought for the Gaels late in the frame, followed by Marianne Alarie (Sudbury, Ont) knocking down a last-second shot to keep the Gaels at a comfortable lead. The Gaels continue to lead at the end of the third quarter, 46-18.

With a comfortable lead entering the final quarter, the Gaels held Nipissing to just six points in the fourth and walked away victorious. 

The final score ended Queen's 68, Nipissing 24.

BY THE NUMBERS
8- The Gaels held Nipissing to just eight made FGs the entire game
17- The Gaels shared the rock, with 17 assisted points
19- Veronika Lavergne led the Gaels in scoring with 19 on the night
15- Andrea Priamo was not far behind, as she ended up with 15 points

UP NEXT
The Gaels face the Laurentian Voyageurs tomorrow night in Sudbury at 6 pm. Catch all the action live on OUA.tv.