OTTAWA - The St. Lawrence College (SLC) women's basketball team travelled to Algonquin College to take on the 2012-13 Ontario Colleges Athletics Association (OCAA) champions, the Thunder, in what would be a big test for the Vikings to see how the team can compete against one of the top teams in the province.
Despite having a 12-point lead in the first half, the Thunder were able to claw back into the game by making several steals and forcing turnovers throughout the second half to take a slim two-point lead with only seconds remaining in the game.
The Vikings would draw up a play for the win during a timeout that ended with guard Haley Gourdier getting a chance to take the shot for the win. The play didn't exactly go as planned, but Gourdier would end up with the ball and a great look at the net, but the shot hit the back rim and bounced out, securing the 50-48 win for Algonquin.
"We have to give Algonquin credit. They're a strong team and they played well tonight," said Vikings head coach Remy Simpson. "But our girls played their hearts out tonight to pull of the upset win. They'll be disappointed with the final score, but now we know that we can compete against the top teams in the province, having given them a very good scare tonight."
What proved to be a deciding factor in the Vikings loss was the poor free-throw percentage of 40 per cent (8-of-20).
"Missing those free throws was tough. Those points would have made a huge difference down the stretch," said Simpson.
Lacey Knox would finish the game with her second double-double of the season, recording 19 points and 10 rebounds. Honourable mention goes out to Gourdier who put in a sold game, logging heavy minutes in the process.
With the loss, the Vikings move to 9-3 and fall to fourth place in the OCAA East Division. The Vikings are only two points back of third place (Durham College), with a game in hand.
The Vikings will take the week off, and host the 3-10 Georgian College Grizzlies on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m., and the 0-12 Fleming College Knights on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 1 p.m.
Source: St. Lawrence College