WELLAND, Ont. - Shanien O'Neill sank one of two free throws with just 1.4 seconds left in the first overtime period to give the Mohawk Mountaineers an 88-87 victory over the Algonquin Thunder of Ottawa and earned a berth in the gold medal game at the belairdirect Ontario Colleges Athletic Association Women's Basketball Championship at Niagara College on Friday.
Once again, Mohawk had to stage big rallies, as it trailed 27-16 after the first quarter and 48-34 at the half. A big three-pointer from JenJen Abella, Mohawk's player of the game for the second night in a row, put the Mountaineers in front 63-61 after three quarters. Three pointers by Stef Hrymak also contributed greatly to the comeback.
The fourth quarter was edge of your seat excitement, as Algonquin did not fold, despite the Mountaineers' resurgence and regulation time ended 79-79.
In the five minute overtime, a three-pointer by Algonquin's Nya Gathoth put the Thunder ahead by three, but Mohawk immediately raced down the court and tied the game again, as Hunter Johns sank one from beyond the arc.
After the teams traded buckets with time running out and the fans thinking they may see a second overtime period, O'Neill was fouled and notched the winning point.
For the game, Hrymak scored 21 points had four rebounds and three assists, Abella had 20 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and four steals. O'Neill was right behind with 19 points and nine rebounds.
Mohawk head coach Kevin Duffy said once again his team showed a tremendous amount of courage, battling back against a great Algoinquin team. "I can't believe their toughness and resilience," said Duffy. "I'm so very proud of them. Hopefully we can fire it up one more time and get that gold."
And the Mountaineers will need to bring their 'A' game as they face the Humber Hawks, who whipped Fanshawe 71-49 in their semi. The Hawks were 18-0 in the regular season and have tacked on two more victories in this championship. But the Mountaineers are no slouches, as their combined OCAA mark in the regular and post season, is 17-3.
Humber beat them 61-41 last year in the final and Algonquin took them down two years ago, by a score of 76-65.
Will it be third time lucky for the Mountaineers?
The tip-off at Niagara Saturday night will be 7 p.m.
Source: Mohawk College