By Andjela Jagodic
The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women’s basketball team ended their two-game losing streak with a triumphant 80-71 win against the Windsor Lancers at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC) on Saturday afternoon.
After a challenging first half on both the offensive and defensive end, the Bold ended up coming back from a 20-point deficit.
TMU head coach Carly Clarke explained the second-half mentality switch post-game.
“It was just a couple tactical things that we knew we wanted to adjust and just about chipping away, knowing that we weren’t going to come make a 20-point-play, that it was going to have to be over the course of the game and just stay the course, and we did,” said Clarke.
The Lancers came out strong, bringing energy from their five-game win streak coming into the matchup. Windsor had profited off of the Bold’s early offensive miscommunication and remained consistent in their defensive efforts to shut the home side down.
The visitors were not only defensive dogs this game, but also lethal beyond the arc, especially in the first quarter, with a 71 per cent three-point field-goal percentage as a team.
Fourth-year Lancers guard Isabella Anes contributed six points from a pair of three-point attempts and was supported by third-year centre Kali Grootenboer. Her 6’5 height proved to be menacing for the Bold.
“Obviously it’s a little bit intimidating at first, but I feel like we were really resilient,” said fifth-year forward Callie Wright about guarding Grootenboer.
The Bold remained aggressive despite being dominated by the Lancers early on, with most of their energy coming from fifth-year guard Kaillie Hall.
Aggressive energy was continuously exchanged between the two teams, with the Bold not giving up on their chance to win. Despite offensive efforts from the Bold, their shots were not falling, with only a 20 percent field-goal percentage in the quarter. Along with the Bold’s slow-moving offense, the Lancers remained harmonious, ending the first half up by twenty points.
The Bold went into the half down by twenty points with the score set at 47-27.
As the third quarter started, it became clear that a whole new game was emerging. TMU started anew and came out with more ferocity as second-year guard Catrina Garvey ignited the team with her offensive fire. The Ottawa product sank three straight three-pointers which not only made the crowd wild, but fed into her teammates’ energy as well.
“We’re on a great road to victory, and we keep that intensity going,” said Garvey.
With this new offensive wind, the Bold remained composed and remained consistent on the defensive end. The Bold started the second half with a full-court press to add pressure onto the Lancers.
“Intensity and just effort to keep going, because we knew there’s only 20 minutes left,” said Garvey.
The Bold recorded six three-pointers in the third quarter that not only came from Garvey, but fourth-year forward Haley Fedick and second-year guard Alex Pino as well.
Chemistry between the Bold players were apparent as Wright, Fedick and Hailey Franco-DeRyck made key plays securing rebounds and blocks on both ends.
The three forwards ended off the game with a total of 21 rebounds and acquired all five of the Bold’s blocks.
By the start of the fourth quarter, TMU managed to cut the lead down to 63-53.
Fedick started off the frame with a layup, which was then followed by a three-pointer—made off from a Lancers turnover. On top of that, Garvey’s shot remained hot, mirroring Fedick with a three-point shot and layup of her own, cutting the point difference to only four points, leading to a Windsor timeout.
After constant effort, the Bold obtained their first lead all night coming from a defensive block from Franco-DeRyck and a three-point swish from Pino—from this point on, the Bold crowd did not stop cheering.
“Everyone was giving energy, whether you were on the court or on the bench, and so the energy just kept us pushing forward,” said Fedick
A magnetic attraction developed between the Bold and the net, with constant buckets from across the lineup. From that point on, the Bold put themselves on track another win on their record.
Garvey was a pivotal player for the Bold in this victory, ending off with 28 points—more than half deriving from her threes made.
“We just believed in each other and we knew we could come out with a win,” said Garvey.
TMU’s preparation for their next tough matchup against may start tomorrow, but for tonight the team is enjoying their celebratory meals.
“We’re back baby,” said Fedick.
UP NEXT: The Bold take on the Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks at the Athletic Complex in Waterloo, Ont. on Nov. 22. Tip-off is set at 6 p.m.
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