KINGSTON, Ont. (Feb. 24, 2024) - Queen's Women's Basketball opened their OUA Critelli Cup Playoffs with a big 68-51 win over the Guelph Gryphons Saturday night at the Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC).

With the quarterfinals win, the No. 2 Gaels advanced to the OUA semifinals, where they will host the No. 6 seed TMU Bold.

Queen's was in control throughout the game, jumping out to a double-digits lead in the first half. The Gaels would lead by as many as 29 points on their way to the 17-point victory.

Julia Chadwick's strong play from the regular season carried over into the post-season win. Chadwick (Ottawa, Ont.) recorded a double-double, leading all players in both points, with 23, and rebounds, with 15. Chadwick said the team's defensive efforts helped their big offensive performance.

"We took a lot of pride in our defence and I think that really impacted our offence, it got us looks in transition," Chadwick said. "Overall, a win is good and a win in playoffs when everything is a little elevated is even better."

Emma Weltz (Timmins, Ont.) also scored in double digits for Queen's in the win, and fell just one rebound shy of a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds.

Queen's outscored the Gryphons 42-26 down low and finished the game shooting 40 per cent from the floor, while holding Guelph to 32 per cent shooting from the floor.

"We're just thinking one game at a time right now and we came in to this game and did a good job in terms of what our game plan was," Queen's Women's Basketball Head Coach Claire Meadows said after the game.

"It's fortunate with this group we've been in these big moments before, especially at home. So we took solace in that and they're pretty excited for it to be playoffs."
 
The Gaels are back in action Wednesday night at 6 p.m., hosting the Bold in a semifinals matchup. Both Chadwick and Meadows said Queen's knows the challenge they're about to face and are excited for Wednesday.

"Another grind in prepping for them," Chadwick said. "They're a different team so we have to do different things but it will be a good one and we're looking forward to it."

"It's a quick turnaround," said Meadows. "We have to get our scout ready. They're a good team. They're well coached. They're a physical team, so we know what type of game it will be."

Tickets for Wednesday's game can be purchased on game day at the ARC or online on the Queen's Gaels Tickets Website.

"We love playing here," Meadows said. "I believe we have some of the best fans in the country. They act as a sixth player for our team and we'll feed off that."