(London, Ontario) – The Falcons Women's Basketball squad (18-1) clinched the top spot in the OCAA West Division with a 76-52 home win over the Sheridan Bruins (15-4) on Wednesday night. With the victory, the Falcons also set a new Fanshawe Women's Basketball record for most wins in a season.
Fanshawe came out strong defensively in the opening quarter, forcing the Bruins to take difficult shots and shoot 15.8% from the field. The Falcons pushed the ball on offense, resulting in a made layup by Natalie Warren (London, ON). Chuot Angou (London, ON) knocked down a triple on a pass from Mary Ingribelli (St. Catherine's, ON) and with that set a new Fanshawe Women's Basketball record for most points in a season. Warren hit a buzzer-beater half court shot that got the home crowd on their feet at the end of the quarter to make the score 25-13.
In the second frame, Fanshawe ran into some foul trouble but were able to maintain their lead with a bucket from rookie forward Alison Cotton (London, ON). Great rebounding from Kaleigh Morris (London, ON) resulted in the red and white extending their lead to 41-24 at the half.
After the break, the Falcons moved the ball very well offensively, as fifth-year point guard Laura Vere (Stratford, ON) racked up five assists in the quarter. Vere also set a new Fanshawe Women's Basketball single-season record for most assists in a season, bringing her total to 79. Angou added another ten points in the quarter making the score 64-36.
In the fourth quarter, Maddy Kielar (Newmarket, ON) had a strong take to the rim for the Birds. Sheridan would make a push to cut the home team's lead, but the Falcons would prevail. With Angou's game-high 21 points on the night, she surpassed Rebecca Huntley's single-season scoring record of 312 points in 1994-95. Angou now has 329 points with one game remaining.
Fanshawe will have their final regular season game at home on Saturday, February 16 against the Niagara Knights (11-8). The Falcons will be honouring their graduating seniors before the 6pm tip off.