HAMILTON, Ont. - The Algonquin Thunder of Ottawa showed why they are undefeated in women's basketball this season, as they scored a convincing 76-65 victory over the host Mohawk Mountaineers in the gold medal game of the 2014 belairdirect Ontario Colleges Athletic Association Women's Basketball Championship in Hamilton on Saturday.

The tone was set early, as Mohawk managed only one field goal in the first quarter and trailed 17-8. A poor start was nothing new for Mohawk during the OCAA regular season, but the Thunder would not allow the Mountaineers to make one of their patented comebacks this time.

When Mohawk started scoring in the second quarter, Algonquin matched or bettered them almost ever time. The Thunder led by 20 late in the second quarter and went to the halftime break ahead 46-29.

Algonquin continued their commanding play in the third quarter, at one point getting the lead up to 26 points and finishing the quarter ahead 64-41.

Mohawk played with a lot of pride and outscored the Thunder 24-12 in the final period, but the Ottawa team managed to complete their 11-point win.
 
Sandre Bascoe (Ottawa) led Algonquin with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Jesa Rada (Ottawa) had 10 points and Jessica Basquin (Ottawa) had eight points and seven boards.
 
For Mohawk, Rachelle Abella (Hamilton) led all scorers with 16 points. Lacey Wolters (Kingsville) scored 12 points and added 10 rebounds while Stef Hrymak (Hamilton) contributed 11 points.
 
For Algonquin, it marks its sixth OCAA women's basketball gold medal, and an OCAA record fourth straight. Mohawk, hoping for a seventh title, had to settle for a silver medal.
 
Bascoe of Algonquin was selected the championship most valuable player.

A fourth quarter comeback has the St. Clair Saints leaving Hamilton with a bronze medal around their neck after defeating the St. Lawrence Vikings 59-57 in finish that came down to the final seconds.

Up by one in the final minute, the Saints allowed Nicolle Gaudet (Kingston) to sneak into the lane, unguarded on an inbounds play, and give the Vikings a one-point lead.

Shannon Kennedy (Windsor) refused to go down easily, however, and answered Gaudet's bucket with a three to go up two. Then it was up to Gaudet again at the free throw line but the Kingston native could only manage one of two, forcing the Vikings to foul after the Saints collected the rebound.

A Kendyl Rizea (Windsor) free throw was all the points the Saints needed to finish the game and capture the OCAA bronze medal. Rizea was named the player of the game for St. Clair with six points, eight rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and two steals. Haley Gourdier (Kingston) received the honour for St. Lawrence with six points, four assists, and a steal. Gaudet led all scorers with 21 points, going 9-of-19 from the floor.

OCAA Tournament MVP
Sandre Bascoe, Algonquin

OCAA Tournament All-Stars
Jen Abella, Mohawk
Rachelle Abella, Mohawk
Kim Cupid, Algonquin
Shannon Kennedy, St. Clair
Lacey Knox, St. Lawrence-K

Championship Website: www.mohawkcollege.ca/athletics/ocaawbballchampionship.html

OCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

Thursday, February 27
Quarter-Finals
Game 1 - St. Clair 64, St. Lawrence-K 61
Game 2 - Algonquin 73, Fanshawe 43
Game 3 - Mohawk 64, Durham 50
Game 4 - Humber 67, Sheridan 55

Friday, February 28
Bronze Quarter-Finals
Game 5 - St. Lawrence-K 59, Fanshawe 51
Game 6 - Sheridan 69, Durham 61
Semi-Finals
Game 7 - Algonquin 76, St. Clair 47
Game 8 - Mohawk 65, Humber 43

Saturday, March 1
Bronze Semi-Finals
Game 9 - St. Clair 76, Sheridan 46
Game 10 - St. Lawrence-K 55, Humber 49
Bronze Medal Match
Game 11 - St. Clair 59, St. Lawrence-K 57
Gold Medal Match
Game 12 - Algonquin 76, Mohawk 65

Source: Mohawk College

- 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.

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Josh Bell-Webster
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Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com