LONDON, Ont. - On Saturday afternoon, the Fanshawe Falcons (13-5) defeated the Seneca Sting (7-9) in a cross-over playoff game by a final score of 47-40. The win advances Fanshawe into the OCAA provincial championship starting on Thursday, Feb. 27 at Mohawk College.
 
Fanshawe came out aggressive on the defensive end to start the game, causing a number of turnovers for Seneca. The Falcons held Seneca scoreless for the first five minutes of the game.  The Sting came back with six straight of their own to tie the game at six. Both teams struggled to score but the Falcons took the lead after the first quarter 8-6. Seneca started the second on a 6-0 run but Fanshawe came right back and tied the game at 12. With less than three minutes left in the quarter, Seneca's Eboni Beals made the first two free throws of the game, giving the Sting a two-point lead. Seneca's Paige Smith knocked down back-to-back three pointers heading into the half, to give the Sting a 22-18 lead.
 
Defense was key for both teams in the third quarter with only two points scored between them after the first seven minutes of the half. Fanshawe didn't make a field goal in the third quarter but the Falcons only found themselves down by seven with one quarter left to play. Fanshawe turned it on to start the fourth quarter, scoring 10 straight, giving the Falcons their first lead of the second half. With under a minute left in the game, Seneca's Smith made a running jumper in the lane to cut the Fanshawe lead to one. After a Fanshawe timeout, Anique Daley drove the baseline and pushed the Falcons lead to three. Clutch free throws down the stretch secured the comeback win for the Falcons.
 
Fanshawe will head to Mohawk College for the OCAA provincial championship starting next Thursday, Feb. 27. In the first round, Fanshawe will face the undefeated CCAA No. 4-ranked Algonquin Thunder (16-0) at 3 p.m.

Source: Fanshawe College