KINGSTON, Ont. - Heading into the fifth annual SLC Vikings Women's Basketball Tournament championship game, both St. Lawrence and Sainte-Foy had convincing wins over their opponents in preliminary games, which promised for an entertaining final. The Vikings defeated Georgian 91-36, and Mohawk 70-40. While Sainte-Foy won 58-36 over Durham, and 60-49 over their local rival Champlain College.

The first quarter was a back and forth battle with each team going shot-for-shot and playing physically. The Vikings would settle in after going down by four to come back and tie the game at 16. In the second, head coach Remy Simpson changed the team's defensive strategy, which led to holding Sainte-Foy to only six points in the quarter. Offensively, the Vikings continued to find open lanes scoring easy lay-ups. Timely three-pointers and buzzer beater courtesy of Jessica Cetoute, put St. Lawrence up 35-22 at the half.

In the second half the Vikings continued to utilize their size and shooting skills, taking open shots from the outer perimeter and capitalizing on open lanes. Rebounds were even at the half, but Lacey Knox, Cetoute and Blythe Glutelius dominated the paint at both ends in the second half. St. Lawrence College would go on to score 41 points in the second half to go on and win the tournament championship by a score of 76-47. Knox and Cetoute recorded back-to-back double doubles in the team's win.

After the game, tournament all-stars and most valuable player awards were issued. Jenni Thompson (Loyalist College), Andreanne Latreille (Nouvelles Frontieres), Anne Turcotte (Sainte-Foy), Frederique Ferland (Sainte-Foy), Katie Chapman (St. Lawrence College), Cetoute (St. Lawrence College), and Knox (St. Lawrence College) were all named tournament all-stars. Lacey was also named tournament MVP as she played nearly every position and dominated her opposition.

If all of those accomplishments for the Vikings from the tournament were not enough to impress, the girls have won nine games in a row, and have yet to be beat at home this season.

"Our team's success this season is a complete team effort from top to bottom," said Simpson. "Because we have a short roster, everyone has to play a big role, and the girls continue to step up each night."

St. Lawrence College would like to thank newly named president and CEO Glen Vollebregt and Director of Student Services Wanda Williams for presenting the silver and gold medals, and tournament all-star and MVP awards. The College would also like to thank College Sainte-Foy, Loyalist College, College Nouvelles Frontieres, Mohawk College, Champlain College, Georgian College, and Durham College for attending. All teams showed great sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4
Champlain 56, Loyalist 49
Sainte Foy 58, Durham 36
Mohawk 57, Nouv. Frontieres 39
St. Lawrence 91, Georgian 36

SATURDAY, JANUARY 5
Loyalist 56, Durham 32
Nouv. Frontieres 81, Georgian 27
Sainte-Foy 60, Champlain 49
St. Lawrence 70, Mohawk 40

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6
Georgian 57, Durham 51
Mohawk 63, Champlain 45
Consolation
Loyalist 49, Nouv. Frontieres 42
Championship
St. Lawrence 76, Sainte-Foy 47
 
TOURNAMENT ALL-STARS
Loyalist College - Jenni Thompson
Nouvelles Frontieres - Andreanne Latreille
College Ste. Foy - Anne Turcotte
College Ste. Foy - Frederique Ferland
St. Lawrence College - Katie Chapman
St. Lawrence College - Jessica Cetoute
St. Lawrence College - Lacey Knox

TOURNAMENT MVP
St. Lawrence College - Lacey Knox

Source: St. Lawrence College