OCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS CONTINUE SATURDAY

The Ontario Colleges Athletics Association (OCAA) moves into the quarter-finals in women's basketball, with four elimination matches taking place this weekend.

At stake is a ticket to the OCAA Women's Basketball Championship taking place over a two-day span between Feb. 28 - Mar. 2.

All but one of the higher seeds survived last weekend's crossovers, with the Fanshawe Falcons the lone team to pick up a road victory.

The higher seeded teams play host to this weekend's action, with the top surviving seed hosting the OCAA championship in a week's time.

Lambton (9-7, 4th West) at Algonquin (14-0, 1st East)
Saturday, Feb. 22 - 1 p.m.

The Lambton Lions and Algonquin Wolves will renew acquaintances in the Nation's Capital after squaring off in the OCAA gold medal game last year.

The Lions mauled the Durham Lords 67-42 in the opening round, with second-year guard Simone Wilson (Cobourg) earning a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

The Wolves kept their winning streak alive with a 57-43 win over the Sheridan Bruins last Saturday. Algonquin fourth-year guard Dasia McDonald (Nepean) scored a game-high 16 points while contributing four rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Both of these teams have finished atop the OCAA podium the last two seasons. This streak will end for one of these squads on Saturday.

The Algonquin Wolves would host the 2025 OCAA championship with a victory.

Fanshawe (8-8, 5th West) at Niagara (14-2, 1st West)
Saturday, Feb. 22 - 1 p.m.

The Fanshawe Falcons were the lone team to win on the road last weekend, soaring to an 85-51 win over the Seneca Sting.

Second-year guard Joanna Smith (Simcoe) dropped a game-high and season-best 19 points shooting an efficient 6-of-13 (46.2 per cent) from the field and 5-of-7 (71.4 per cent) from the free throw line.

The Niagara Knights made short work of the St. Lawrence Surge in their first round meeting, winning 101-30. Fourth-year forward Janee Harrison (St. Catharines) led the Knights offensively scoring 16 points.

The Falcons and Knights meet once again, having split their two-game regular season series. Niagara won 64-55 before the December break, while Fanshawe returned the favour 58-50 in the new year.

Mohawk (11-5, 3rd West) at Georgian (11-3, 2nd East)
Saturday, Feb. 22 - 1 p.m.

The Georgian Grizzlies earned another home playoff game by virtue of their 66-60 win over the Redeemer Royals last weekend.

Georgian fourth-year guard Daija Thompson (Whitby) came off the bench to score a team-high 16 points on 6-of-10 (60.0 per cent) shooting from the field.

The Mohawk Mountaineers advanced to the elite eight with a 90-61 win over the Centennial Colts last Saturday.

Mohawk third-year forward Kendra Oliver (Ajax) had a monster double-double in the victory with 19 points and 20 rebounds.

Loyalist (10-4, 3rd East) at Humber (14-2, 2nd West)
Sunday, Feb. 23 - 1 p.m.

Forced to wait until Sunday due to volleyball, the Humber Hawks meet the Loyalist Lancers with the final final four spot on the line.

The Hawks were no match for the George Brown Huskies last weekend with a 92-39 crossover victory last Saturday.

Fifth-year shooting guard Kia Watt (Toronto) and first-year guard Persia Martin-Brown (Toronto) both recorded double-doubles in the win combining for 26 points and 25 rebounds.

The Lancers were the most battle tested last weekend with a 61-60 win over the St. Clair Saints.

Third-year guard Grace Callahan (Corbyville) and first-year forward Kayley Lemaire (Sudbury) both recorded double-doubles for the Lancers combining for 30 points and 22 rebounds.

- OCAA -

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For over 50 years, the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association has been a dedicated leader in amateur athletics through the provision of quality varsity and recreational athletic opportunities at the collegiate level.

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Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com