Box Score Guelph, ON – Friday night at the W.F. Mitchell Athletics Centre, the Gryphons women's basketball team was eliminated from the OUA playoffs after losing 77-73 to the Lakehead Thunderwolves. With the loss, the Gryphons fall to 7-11 on the season, while Lakehead improves to 14-4. The two teams will meet again on Saturday night in the regular season finale for both teams.
The Gryphons came into the game needing to win each of their final two regular season games to grab the third and final playoff spot in the OUA's Central Division. Guelph got off to a good start on Friday, jumping out to an 18-10 lead after the opening quarter of play. Lakehead was able to cut into that deficit in the second quarter as the Gryphons held a slim 35-32 lead at the half.
#9 Dana Van Balkom guards #4 Jylisa Williams Friday night in Guelph
The third quarter featured a milestone as Lakehead's fifth year guard Jylisa Williams (Atlanta, Georgia) broke the OUA single-season scoring record (she now has 521 points on the season – the previous record was 503). While the record belonged to Williams, the third quarter belonged to the Gryphons who outscored the Thunderwolves 21-15 to take a nine point lead into the fourth.
Unfortunately for this young Gryphons team, one of the themes of the season has been their inability to finish off opponents late in games. Friday night was no different. Lakehead would explode for 30 points in the final quarter. Lakehead held a slim three point lead late. The Gryphons would have the ball and a chance to tie it, but
Haley Belyk's desperation, potential game-tying three point attempt would not fall. Lakehead would tack on one more free throw and go on to win it 77-73 the final.
Jylisa Williams, who came into the game averaging just over 29 points per game, finished with a game-high 31 points. Williams was 13-15 from the free throw line. As a team, the Thunderwolves were 20-29 from the charity stripe, while the Gryphons had just 14 free throw attempts.
Kate MacTavish led the Gryphons with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Bridget Atkinson had 14 points, while
Kate Yallin chipped in with 11 points off the bench.
The Gryphons and Thunderwolves will square off again on Saturday night as the Gryphons celebrate 'Senior Night' and honour their graduating players.
