The Humber Hawks opened the 2017 belairdirect OCAA Women's Basketball Championship with a 68-50 win over the St. Clair Saints.

Trailing early9-4 , the reigning OCAA and CCAA Champions battled back against the Saints to close within one point at the end of the opening quarter.

OCAA Player of the Year Ceejay Nofuente, who was held scoreless in the first quarter, took over the game in the second quarter, scoring 11 points including a trio of three-pointers to give the Hawks a six point advantage at halftime, 33-27.

The Hawks grew their lead in the third quarter thanks to tenacious defense, holding the Saints to just six points in the quarter. OCAA East Division Second Team All-Star Aleena Domingo topped the Hawks with 6 points as their lead grew to thirteen points.

With the lead growing to as much as twenty, the Hawks were able to go into cruise control en route to the quarter-final victory.

Nofuente topped the Hawks with 23 points while adding 9 rebounds and 4 steals. Domingo finished with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Amber Bechard added 13 points and Chioma Oriuwa had a game-high 10 rebounds.

The Saints were led by Leah Beeler who scored 14 points and added 7 rebounds. Shannon Kennedy narrowly missed a double-double, finishing with 9 points and 9 rebounds. Shianna Riggan contributed 7 points in the loss.