Toronto Metropolitan University's Independent Student Newspaper Since 1967

All Sports

Women’s basketball loses to Laurentian University

By William Brown

The Ryerson women’s basketball team fell 65-54 against the Laurentian University Lady Voyageurs, Friday night at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC). The loss leaves the Rams with a 4-11 record and moves Laurentian into a tie with the Rams for sixth place in the OUA East division and the final playoff position.

Keneca Pingue-Giles led the game with 18 points and Devenae Brycele led the Lady Voyageurs with 15.

“I’m just disappointed with our focus and our effort,” head coach Carly Clarke said. “We missed some shots and then we had some missed defensive assignments — just too many break downs today.”

Ryerson opened the game strong with a 7-5 lead before the Lady Voyageurs’ nine-point run pulled them ahead midway through the first quarter. By the end of the first, the Lady Voyageurs had a healthy 10-point lead.

“We had some great looks [but] couldn’t finish and that can be a little deflating at times,” head coach Clarke said.

In the second quarter Laurentian committed several consecutive fouls, so the opportunistic Rams took advantage — opening up an eight-point run. Despite the strong offensive play, defensive mistakes left the Rams five points back at the half.

After that, the Lady Voyageurs took over. Going into the final quarter with a four point lead, they pulled away thanks to Rams’ turnovers and sloppy defense. In the end, the Lady Voyageurs won with an 11-point difference.

“[Laurentian] hit some big shots, they hit some timely shots,” head coach Clarke said. “They shot a better percentage and they got more free throws and that was a pretty pivotal part of the game.”

The head-to-head record between Ryerson and Laurentian puts the Lady Voyageurs ahead on the tiebreak for the playoffs.

“We can’t alter too much,” head coach Clarke said. “We have to keep some discipline, we have defensive breakdowns — discipline-wise —[and] we have to make sure we’re stronger in our side of the court.”

The Rams play again Saturday night at the MAC against the Algoma University Thunder Birds — a team that sits last in the OUA East with a 0-14 record. Next Saturday, they will take on the Carlton University Ravens.

Leave a Reply