KINGSTON, Ont. (February 8th, 2019) – The Queen's Women's Basketball Team (12-8) fell to the No.2 Ottawa Gee-Gees (18-2) 69-40 on Friday night at the ARC – Main Gym.
 
GAME FLOW
With only three game remaining on the regular season schedule, the visiting Gee-Gees arrived in Kingston sporting the OUA's best record at 17-2 and having won nine of their last 10 games. 
 
The Gaels got off to a good start against the conference leading Gee-Gees, opening the game on a 5-0 run and trading baskets back and forth with Ottawa for most of the first quarter. While the Gee-gees would break away near the end of the quarter, the Gaels did a good job remaining within striking distance against the OUA's second best offensive unit, trailing just 24-17 at the end of the first quarter. 
 
The Gaels struggled in the second quarter, scoring just four points and allowing the Gee-Gees to extend their lead to 18 points, heading to the half down 39-21. Pivotally, the Gaels turned over the ball 16 times in the first half and shot just 23% from the field. Leading the Gaels in the first half was Veronika Lavergne with eight points and Sophie de Goede with seven rebounds.
 
Throughout the second half, the Gaels struggled to keep pace with the Gee-Gees, scoring only four points in the final quarter and eventually falling by a score of 69-40, handing the Gee-Gees their 18th win of the season. 40 points scored marked the Gaels' lowest offensive output of the season. The Gee-Gees also created 26 points off 25 Gaels turnovers. 
 
Leading the way for the Gaels was Maddie Morris with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile Gaels centre Lavergne, who has been the focal point of the Gaels offensive play in recent weeks, drew a tough defensive matchup against Gee-Gees pivot Angela Ribarich, which disrupted the Gaels offensive game plan and flow. The Gaels were held to just 20% shooting and made only four three-pointers on 20 attempts. 
 
MUST SEE MOMENT

W🏀| A big triple from Morris and the Gaels are battling with Ottawa early
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Watch live at https://t.co/9xTOznwjCF
—#GoGaelsGo #OTTvsQUE pic.twitter.com/kVzBu790gD

— Queen's Gaels (@queensgaels) February 8, 2019

BY THE NUMBERS
8 – Combined points for the Gaels in the 2^nd& 4^thQuarters.
10 – Rebounds for Veronika Lavergne.
8 –Straight wins for the Gee-Gees. 
 
UP NEXT
The Gaels are back in action tomorrow night at the ARC for seniors night and a special Pink the Court game in support of anti-bullying. Catch the action at 6 pm.