Toronto Metropolitan University's Independent Student Newspaper Since 1967

All Sports

Women’s Basketball Recap: Rams rally in second half to stun Gaels for O.T. win

By Harlan Nemers

Ryerson’ women’s basketball team did the impossible for the second straight week.

Last week it was Ashley Clarke feeding Cassandra Doughlin for the overtime forcing three-pointer in the game’s final seconds leading to a victory. This time it was Clarke herself who shot the Hollywood-esque game-tying layup in the game’s dying seconds for another win.

Ashley Clarke scored off of a turnover with 3.1 seconds left to tie the game as the Rams rallied from a 17-point deficit to eventually defeat the Queen’s Gaels 74-64 in overtime on Friday night at Kerr Hall Gymnasium.

“We just didn’t give up and played some pretty hardcore defence,” said third-year forward Angela Tilk. “Individual performances aren’t as important. Playing as a team is the biggest thing. But the main thing is that we’re always looking to improve”

Brittany Moore had a game high 25 points including four three-point field goals and led all players with 42 minutes played for the Gaels (3-11), who lost their third straight game.

“We won the game because of our defence,” said Rams’ interim head coach Charles Kissi.

Forward Kelsey Wright chipped in with 15 points and Jenny Hobbs added 13 for the Rams, who outshot the Gael’s 30.2 to 29.2 per cent.

“At the beginning we didn’t execute but at the end we were able to defend their leading scorer Brittney,” said Clarke, who was named the Hero Burger Player of the Game with nine points, two assists and five rebounds for the Rams. “We have to stay focused. It’s all about the climb.”

After an back and forth first quarter which saw  Queen’s lead 19-17, the Gaels went on a 20- 4 run with eight minutes remaining in the second quarter. However, the Rams responded in the third quarter with a 23-10 run of their own, as they cut the deficit to two points entering the fourth.

With 8.4 seconds remaining in regulation, rookie point guard Ashley Clark intercepted the Gael’s in-bound pass, drove to the basket alone and made the layup to tie the game at 59-59. The Gael’s buzzer-beating shot hit off the rim, forcing overtime. In the final frame, the Rams got off to an 8-2 start and would go on to preserve the win.

The Rams were in seventh place in the OUA East Division following their 75-47 loss to the Ottawa Gee- Gees on January 8th. Since then, they have won three straight games, while York, Laurentian and Queens, three teams who were ahead of them, have each dropped at least three-in-a-row. The Rams are currently tied in third place with the York.

Leave a Reply