SARNIA, Ont. - Consider The Den defended.
In front of a capacity crowd inside the Cestar Group Athletics & Fitness Complex, the Lambton women's basketball program secured its first-ever OCAA gold medal with a convincing 78-56 win over the previously undefeated Algonquin Wolves.
With the win, the Lions will now represent the OCAA at the 2024 OCAA Women's Basketball National Championships in Lloydminster, Alta., from Mar. 13-16.
Forward Brett Fischer (Wallaceburg, Ont.) was named Player of the Game for the Lions. The fifth-year forward recorded 15 points, 18 rebounds, and six assists in the win. Cianah Miller was named Player of the Game for the Wolves after recording a game-high 22 points to go along with seven rebounds and three assists.
Fourth-year wing Breanna Pretty (Sarnia, Ont.) was named the Championship Most Valuable Player after averaging 16.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in wins over Niagara and Algonquin.
Coming into Sunday night, the Wolves were the second-ranked team and had yet to lose a game during the 2023-24 season. They were the lowest scoring defence in the country, holding teams to just over 40 points per game.
The Lions and Wolves met last season in the semi-finals, with the Lions coming away with a 53-38 victory. They were looking to replicate their performance on Sunday, but they took things up a notch.
From the opening tip, the Lions seemed in control of the contest. They took an early 13-point lead after the first quarter, 26-13, and the Lions were off and running from there. In the second quarter, the Lions put some separation between themselves and the Wolves. Lambton held Algonquin to just six points in the quarter, taking a 50-19 lead into the locker room.
From there, it felt as though it was only a matter of time.
The Lions were never threatened in the second half, and as the game progressed, the Lambton fans became more boisterous and started to feel the excitement in the air.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock, the crowd rose to their feet and gave the Lions a round of applause to celebrate the historic win. As the buzzer sounded and the Lions were provincial champions for the first time, tears flowed on the Lambton bench as cheers came from all over the gymnasium.
Guards Maddy Bishop (Windsor, Ont.) and Legacie Blackbird (Walpole Island, Ont.) were also named Championship All-Stars post-game.
The Lions will now await their CCAA Quarter-Final match-up as they gear up for their first appearance on the national stage.
Source: Lambton Lions
Championship Website: www.ocaa.com/wbb
Live Webcast: www.ocaalive.com
Saturday, March 2
Semi-Finals
S-F #1: Lambton def. Niagara 65-50
S-F #2: Algonquin def. St. Clair 73-58
Sunday, March 3
Bronze Medal Game
Niagara def. St. Clair 67-52
Gold Medal Game
Lambton def. Algonquin 78-56
- OCAA -
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