No. 4 Women’s Basketball tips off 2023 with 32-point victory over Conestoga

By: Stefan Gerardi
Humber Athletics Communications

ETOBICOKE- New year, same Humber Hawks. The No. 4 Humber women's basketball (9-0, 1^st West) squad began the second half of the season with a convincing 78-46 victory over the Conestoga Condors (3-6, 6^th West).

The Hawks brought their momentum from 2022 into action and played an all-around team game. The squad drained 34-of-85 shots from the floor (40 per cent) and drilled six shots from deep. The Hawks also posted 62 rebounds and 16 assists.

Match Recap

The fourth-ranked Humber women's basketball team was thrilled to get back in front of their home fans after a long December break. With the stress of exams gone, the Hawks were ready to take on the struggling Conestoga Condors to tip off 2023.

The Hawks picked up where they left off a month ago as they hurdled ahead to an early 6-point lead in the first quarter. Marley Bonnick led the way with four points as the Hawks carried the momentum with an 8-2 run over the first six minutes of play. Conestoga cut Humber's lead to one as the Condors were looking to forget their 2022 woes and upset Ontario's top team. Although the Hawks experienced a brief slump in their game, they scored nine unanswered points to bump their lead to ten as the buzzer sounded to end the first.

Humber began the second quarter with a dominant possession that saw the squad record four offensive rebounds as they controlled the rock for over 50 seconds in Conestoga's end. The play didn't end in a bucket for the Hawks; however, Humber led by 17 at the halfway mark of the quarter as Kia Watt lit up the Condor's defence with her impressive passing and shooting skills. Conestoga looked defeated as they could get nothing on both ends of the court. Their last point came with over four minutes remaining in the quarter, and Humber took advantage as they led at the half, 37-15.

At halftime, Humber shot 15-of-39 (38.5 per cent) from the floor and drained three buckets from beyond the arc. The Hawks struggled from the line as they shot 66.7 per cent; however, their nine points off turnovers made up for it. Humber dominated in points in the paint as their 18 smashes Conestoga's lousy two.

The Hawks kept rolling as Kayah Clarke and Nicole Chateau each drained a three to extend Humber's massive lead to 30 early in the second half. Humber's offensive magic translated over to the defence as well. The Hawks held Conestoga to only two points at the five-minute mark of the third quarter. The Condors turned the ball over three times and missed ten straight shots before recording their first points. Humber extended their lead to 40 after a 22-4 run that saw Teija Wareham tally 15 points off the bench. The Hawks' Nest was roaring by the end of the third as their team led 63-21 with only a quarter remaining.

Although the Hawks flirted with a 50-point lead early in the final frame, the Condors fought back and posted 25 points in the quarter as the game ended 78-46.

Player of the game, Teija Wareham, led the Hawks with 17 points and eight-made field goals. Marley Bonnick recorded a double-double with ten points and a team-high ten rebounds, while Kia Watt's eight assists led Humber. Kayah Clarke was only one rebound away from her second double-double of the season; however, she topped the Hawks with two threes.

Humber Highlights

• Marley Bonnick has recorded her third double-double of the 2022-23 campaign.
• The Hawks improve to 21-0 all-time against Conestoga.
• With another perfect night from the free throw line, Kayah Clarke remains Humber's hottest shooter from the stripe at 82.6 per cent.
• Humber extends its win streak to 21 consecutive games against the OCAA.
• Teija Wareham's 17 points was a new career-high.
• Humber's 32-point win is their largest margin of victory this season.

What's Next?

No. 4 Humber will be on the road to take on the Mohawk Mountaineers (2-6, 8th West) on Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. The top team in the OCAA will return to the North Campus Gym for a clash with the Fanshawe Falcons on Jan. 21. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be streamed live on the Hawks Sports Network.