TORONTO - After 17 grueling weeks, the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) has paired down its women's basketball field from 19 to 12 in an attempt to determine this year's champion.

Four teams have already punched their tickets to OCAA provincials. They include three-time defending gold medalist and undefeated East regional champion Algonquin College (16-0), West champion Humber College (16-2), Durham College (second best in the East with a 13-3 mark) and OCAA championship host Mohawk College (13-5).

The other eight teams will square off in an elimination round to determine the other four quarter-finalists. Teams will play an opponent from the opposite division based on seeding for the opportunity to advance to provincials.

The elite eight will be on display at the OCAA Women's Basketball Championship from Feb. 27-Mar. 1 at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ont.

Seneca (7-9, 5th East) at Fanshawe (13-5, 4th West)
Saturday, Feb. 22 - 12 p.m.

Defending OCAA silver medalist Fanshawe looks to keep its season alive against 2012 OCAA runner-up Seneca.

Fanshawe won five of six games to end the regular season on a high. First-year player Ali Vlasman (Ingersoll) is averaging 14.0 points per game with a shooting success rate of 53.9 per cent to lead all Falcons.

Seneca has won two of its last three games. Third-year guard Sharika Smith (Mississauga) is the top scorer on the Sting averaging 12.1 points per game.

The winner takes on Algonquin in the OCAA quarter-finals. If Fanshawe wins, it will be a rematch of last year's OCAA championship finale.

Niagara (11-7, 6th West) at St. Lawrence-Kingston (12-4, 3rd East)
Saturday, Feb. 22 - 1 p.m.

Fourth-year guard Lacey Knox (Kingston) takes her OCAA best 20.1 points per game average into St. Lawrence-Kingston's qualifier against Niagara.

Knox is among the top OCAA players in shooting accuracy at 50.7 per cent. The Vikings have won three of their last four games. Each of their four losses have been followed by a victory.

Niagara is led offensively by veterans Shelby Johnston (Welland) and Tara Giallonardo (Fonthill) who both averaged double digits in scoring. The Knights enter the post-season having won two of three.

The winner takes on the winner of the George Brown-St. Clair qualifier in the OCAA quarter-finals.

Sheridan (11-7, 5th West) at Centennial (11-5, 4th East)
Saturday, Feb. 22 - 1 p.m.

The Centennial Colts had an impressive turnaround season after going 9-9 in 2012-13. They have lost two of their last three games, but did enough to earn a home playoff game.

Gretta Beals (Toronto), Ashlyn Martin (Toronto) and Latisha Tappin (Scarborough) are averaging just over nine points a game for the Colts.

Sheridan has also struggled of late losing two straight. Shylanda Saunders (Dartmouth, N.S.) of the Bruins is the top scorer in the West region averaging 18.7 points per game.

The winner takes on Humber in the OCAA quarter-finals.

George Brown (6-10, 6th East) at St. Clair (14-4, 2nd West)
Saturday, Feb. 21 - 3 p.m.

St. Clair won its last four games of the regular season, but fell short of tracking down Humber for the regional title. St. Clair needs a fifth straight win to earn its ticket to provincials.

Veteran players Kendyl Rizea (Windsor) and Jaide Lyons (Windsor) both averaged just over 13 points per game for the Saints during the regular season.

George Brown backs into the qualifiers having lost three straight. Quichell Barriffe (Toronto), Aria Charles (Toronto) and Jaime Janssen (Fergus) have all averaged just over 10 points per game.

St. Clair has not lost consecutive games all season. The winner takes on the winner of the Niagara-St. Lawrence qualifier.

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 29 members sponsoring 11 sports.

For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com