WINDSOR, Ont. - The Fanshawe College Falcons (London, Ont.) used a strong second half performance to claim their second consecutive OCAA women's basketball championship defeating the St. Clair College Saints (Windsor, Ont.) on their home court by a score of 93-80 Sunday afternoon at the SportsPlex.
In a rematch of last year's final Fanshawe had to weather an early storm created by St. Clair as they whipped their home crowd into a frenzy that saw them jump ahead 20-8 in game's early moments. The Saints used five triples and 53 per cent shooting to remain up 28-20 entering the second quarter. St. Clair took it a step further making six more deep balls and led by as much as 16 points with just over four minutes played in the second period. Fanshawe was fortunate to find themselves down just 52-42 by halftime and still within striking distance. However, Fanshawe caught fire in the pivotal third quarter shooting 73 per cent from the field and held St. Clair to just six points in the frame to move ahead 68-58 by the beginning of the fourth. A few minutes into the final quarter Fanshawe had pushed their advantage to 18 points before St. Clair could stop the bleeding. The Saints made some noise late and were within nine points (87-78) but the run came with just under two minutes to play and Fanshawe was able to dribble out the clock.
Fanshawe (47 per cent) outshot St. Clair (31 per cent) from the field which proved to be a deciding factor in the outcome but a heavy foul count in the game hurt St. Clair's short bench as two players reached the limit and Fanshawe was able to convert 30-of-37 (81 per cent) from the charity stripe.
Two-time reigning OCAA Player of the Year Chuot Angou (London, Ont.) was named Fanshawe's Player of the Game scoring 30 points and adding six rebounds. West Division First-Team All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year Mikhaila Wright (London, Ont.) equaled that point total for the Falcons and went for a double-double after grabbing 10 rebounds. Wright earned the Championship Most Valuable Player Award averaging 26.3 points per game in the event while Angou was named a Championship All-Star team selection alongside teammate Natalie Warren (London, Ont.).
St. Clair was led in scoring by West Division First-Team All-Star Logan Kucera (Chatham, Ont.) with 26 points in a double-double performance that included 10 rebounds which allowed her to win the Player of the Game award. West Division Second-Team All-Star Jana Kucera (Chatham, Ont.) netted 21 points to go with seven rebounds and six assists with Noor Bazzi (Windsor, Ont.) coming off the bench to score 14 points for the Saints. Anna Ulicny (Tecumseh, Ont.) also reached double figures for St. Clair chipping in with 13 points in her last college game. The Kucera sisters were included as Championship All-Star team selections with Bazzi being recognized as the Fair Play Award winner.
Fanshawe will represent the OCAA at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association national championship tournament being hosted by Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, B.C., Mar. 19-21.
HUMBER CLAIMS BRONZE WITH WIN OVER ALGONQUIN
The Humber College Hawks (Etobicoke, Ont.) came away with the OCAA championship bronze medal Sunday afternoon after defeating the Algonquin College Thunder (Ottawa, Ont.) by a score of 68-60 which was being hosted at the St. Clair College SportsPlex in Windsor.
Humber was ahead 18-14 after the first quarter and was looking to run away with it after pushing its lead to 41-30 by halftime. Algonquin trailed 45-33 early in the third but used a 15-0 run to take back the lead and found themselves up 50-49 entering the fourth. The teams played even for most of the fourth but a late push allowed Humber to claim the bronze medal.
Humber converted a higher percentage from the field and used a 20-9 advantage in points off the bench to create separation in the win.
Humber's Felecia Velasquez (Brampton, Ont.) scored a game-high 25 points and added five assists on her way to a Championship All-Star team selection. Teammate Kia Watt (Toronto, Ont.) was named the Player of the Game for the Hawks scoring 11 points with Miea Campbell-Johnson (Brampton, Ont.) chipping in with 10 points and pulling down seven rebounds.
Algonquin's Michaela Branker (Ottawa, Ont.) was named her team's Player of the Game after scoring 17 points in the loss to go with five rebounds. Rita Sibo (Gatineau, Que.) also reached double figures with 16 points adding eight rebounds and six assists.
Championship MVP
Mikhaila Wright (Fanshawe)
Championship All-Stars
Chuot Angou (Fanshawe)
Natalie Warren (Fanshawe)
Logan Kucera (St. Clair)
Jana Kucera (St. Clair)
Felicia Velasquez (Humber)
Fair Play Award
Noor Bazzi (St. Clair)
Source: St. Clair Saints
Championship Website: www.ocaa.com/wbb
Live Webcast: www.ocaa.com/ocaalive
Friday, March 6
Quarter-Finals
Game #1: Algonquin def. Lambton 66-52
Game #2: Fanshawe def. Durham 79-70
Game #3: St. Clair def. George Brown 74-66
Game #4: Humber def. Sheridan 85-66
Saturday, March 7
Semi-Finals
Game #5: Fanshawe def. Algonquin 83-73
Game #6: St. Clair def. Humber 66-65
Sunday, March 8
Bronze Medal Game
Game #7: Humber def. Algonquin 68-60
Gold Medal Game
Game #8: Fanshawe def. St. Clair 93-80
- OCAA -
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Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
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E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com