After finally breaking their seven-year losing streak a week ago to Sault College, the women's basketball team was out to prove it was not just a fluke. The Lady Royals did just that on Friday night as they came away with another monumental win.
The Lady Royals defeated powerhouse Sheridan College 62-61 in front of an energetic crowd. The game, that saw four lead changes and five ties, came down to the last shot as the Bruins had a chance to win but the shot rimmed out. Victoria Pickering (Campbellville) had a game-high 21 points for the Royals as the team shot 33 percent from beyond the arc compared to Sheridan's eight. Pickering had five of Redeemer's eight 3-pointers as she shot 5-of-9 and a total of 8-of-12 throughout the game. OCAA player of the week Jesseca Brown (Grand Manan, N.B.) had 13 points for Redeemer while Morrisa Lychak (Nepean) added 10 points. Haeven Durrant had a team-high 14 points for Sheridan.
While the win against Sault College the week before was significant and ended the losing streak, it was against a team that is in their second full season in OCAA women's basketball. The win against the Bruins on Friday night was a win against the most dominate team in the OCAA over the past five seasons. With a record of 68-6 over the last five years as well as three provincial championships and three national championship appearances, the Bruins have been the team to beat. The last time the Bruins played Redeemer at home was last year. The Royals lost 102-43.
On Saturday, the Lady Royals looked to make it three wins in a row against the Falcons from Fanshawe College. Fanshawe came into the game after defeating Humber College in their season opener. The Falcons were coming off of a 2011-12 season that saw them go an impressive 16-2. The game proved to be another great test for the Royals. Unfortunately one bad quarter where the Royals were outscored 25-15 ended up being the difference as Fanshawe won the game 77-68. Redeemer entered halftime only down by two but couldn't hold on as fatigue from playing the night before set in. Jesseca Brown had a team-high 20 points for Redeemer while Victoria Pickering had 12. Arica Price (Fort McMurray, Alta.) added 10 as well for the Royals. Felicia Mazerolle had a game-high 28 points for Fanshawe in the win.
After having already played two of the top teams in the league, the Lady Royals sit in a tie for second place with Fanshawe with four points. The basketball teams are at home again this upcoming weekend as they host the Lambton Lions on Friday night and the St. Clair Saints on Saturday afternoon.
The men's team is still searching for their first win after two tough losses to two of the top teams in the league this weekend. The men's team dropped the game 58-47 on Friday night to the Sheridan Bruins and fell 77-45 as they struggled against the Fanshawe Falcons on Saturday night.
On Friday night, Calvin Turnbull (Burlington) had a team-high 12 points for Redeemer. Paul Hart (Ancaster) chipped in for 10. Michael Selkridge had a game-high 20 points for Sheridan. The Royals struggled offensively as they shot only 15-of-74 for the night. Redeemer's strong defence kept them in the game despite their lack of offence.
In the game against Fanshawe, Paul Hart once again had a solid game and led Redeemer in scoring with 15 points. Chris McFadden-Martin (Oakland, Calif.) added 10 points. Boyd Vassell had 16 points for the Falcons.
The men's basketball team will get another crack at the win column this upcoming weekend when they host Lambton College and St. Clair College.
Source: Redeemer University College