HAMILTON, Ont. - A 30-point win over the Fanshawe Falcons means the Algonquin Thunder will play the St. Clair Saints for a chance to play for the Ontario College Athletics Association championship played at the David Braley Athletic Centre at Mohawk College.

A 9-9 tie after the first quarter was no indication at the offensive prowess the Thunder could employ. Once their outside shots started to fall, the Thunder were able to gain the advantage and stretch an early second-quarter lead to a 30-17 edge at halftime.

An aggressive, pressing defence by Algonquin in the first quarter had the visiting Falcons attempting to pass around their defenders to gain entry into the low post. The Falcons were in close for many of their shot attempts but an aggressive Thunder defence had the Falcons shooting a number of free throws.

A 25 per cent shooting percentage for the game wasn't good enough to keep up with Algonquin's efficient 33-of-75 shots made for the game.

In the fourth quarter, down by 30, the Falcons tried to force the issue by implementing their own press defence. The sure-handed Thunder players, however, were able to execute clean passes and keep their lead at 30 for a 73-43 final.

Algonquin's player of the game was Kim Cupid, who scored 11 points and added six assists while the Thunder's Sandre Bascoe led all scorers with 17 points. Fanshawe's leading scorer and player of the game was Ali Vlasman with 10 points.

The Falcons can still come away with a bronze medal if they beat St. Lawrence of Kingston on Friday at 1 p.m.

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

OCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

Thursday, February 27
Quarter-Finals
Game 1 - St. Clair 64, St. Lawrence-K 61
Game 2 - Algonquin 73, Fanshawe 43
Game 3 - Mohawk vs. Durham - 6 p.m.
Game 4 - Sheridan vs. Humber - 8 p.m.

Friday, February 28
Bronze Quarter-Finals
Game 5 - St. Lawrence-K vs. Fanshawe - 1 p.m.
Game 6 - Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 - 3 p.m.
Semi-Finals
Game 7 - St. Clair vs. Algonquin - 6 p.m.
Game 8 - Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 - 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 1
Bronze Semi-Finals
Game 9 - Loser Game 7 vs. Winner Game 6 - 9 a.m.
Game 10 - Loser Game 8 vs. Winner Game 5 - 11 a.m.
Bronze Medal Match
Game 11 - Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10 - 5 p.m.
Winning team presented OCAA Bronze Medal at conclusion of match
Gold Medal Match
Game 12 - Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8 - 7 p.m.
OCAA Gold and Silver Medals presented at conclusion of match

Source: Mohawk College