HAMILTON, Ont. - The defence stepped up in the second half behind their home crowd and a very vocal bench to help Mohawk advance to the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association gold medal game after a 65-43 win. The Mountaineers will play three-time defending champion Algonquin College for a chance at their first medal since 2002.

The Humber Hawks and host Mountaineers raced out to an 8-8 tie to open their semi-final match in the David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre at Mohawk College. The two teams from Ontario's West Division started the game knowing what was on the line: a spot in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association gold medal game.

After the fast start, both teams cooled off considerably, remaining at eight until the four-minute mark of the first quarter.

Mohawk employed their usual pressing defence and helped each other out with quick rotations while Humber's length started to give the Mountaineers fits at both ends of the court.

Humber's Mary Asare used her size in the post along with the shooting touch of Marie Maranan to give Humber a 30-24 halftime lead.
 
The Mountaineers weren't phased by being down at half, starting the third quarter on a 5-0 run. Offensive rebounds continued to be a concern for Mohawk but there defence held Humber to just 13 points in the half, including a mere five points in the final quarter.
 
Head coach Kevin Duffy made the needed adjustments at half time for Mohawk as the women ran an efficient offence that saw them getting open looks at the basket. Mohawk's Lacey Wolters utilized her size to grab several offensive rebounds and gave the Mountaineers a good low-post scoring threat.
 
Mohawk veteran point-guard, Rachelle Abella, was named player of the game for the Mountaineers, recorded four points, three rebounds, four assists, and a steal that the Hamilton native took the other way for a breakaway layup. Humber's Chioma Oriuwa had a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds, making her player of the game for the Hawks. Abella's sister, Jen Abella, was the leading scorer of the game with 15 points. Jen added four rebounds and four assists.
 
The Hawks still have a chance to play for a bronze medal if they can beat the St. Lawrence Vikings at 11 a.m. on Saturday while the gold medal game is set for 7 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 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 vs. Sheridan - 9 a.m.
Game 10 - Humber vs. St. Lawrence-K - 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 - Algonquin vs. Mohawk - 7 p.m.
OCAA Gold and Silver Medals presented at conclusion of match

Source: Mohawk College