Box Score
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL - Gryphon's Soar Past Rams In Home Opener 66-52

GUELPH, ONT. - Ali Dzikowski (Brantford, Ont.) has proven to be a valuable three point threat in her years as a Gryphon, so it seemed fitting the she would put on a shooting clinic in the Gryphon's home opener. Dzikowski shot 6-11 from deep, and erupted for 31 points in the Gryphon's 66-52 victory over the visiting Ryerson Rams Friday night at the W.F. Mitchell Centre.  

While Dzikowski led the way, she received strong contributions from Samantha Russell (Paradise Valley, AZ), who recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Kayla Goodhoofd (Oakville, Ont.), who filled up the stat sheet with eight points, 10 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block. The Gryphon's as a team played strong defence throughout, and dominated the Rams on the boards. Jasmine Douglas (Guelph, Ont.) controlled the paint with 10 rebounds to go with her three blocks.

Ashley MacDonald, the #3 scorer in the CIS, and Kelsey Wirght led the Rams with 16 points each, while Angela Tilk added 10 points to go with five rebounds. The Gryphon guards did a fantastic job containing MacDonald, led by third year guard Marlee Freeman, who again provided smothering man-to-man defence.

The Gryphon's opened the game on a tear, storming out to a 15-4 advantage. Wright netted five points in the final minute to bring the Rams within six entering the second quarter. Russell paced the Gryphon's with six points in the opening quarter, with Dzikowski adding five. The second quarter saw much of the same, with the Gryphon's dominating the undersized Rams on the boards for a number of second chance points, giving Guelph a 27-21 lead heading into halftime.

Coming out of the half, the Gryphon's put on a defensive display to put them in complete control, with Goodhoofd disrupting passing lanes and forcing the Rams into costly turnovers. The Gryphon's outscored the Rams 7-2 in the first two minutes of the second half, and continued to put the pressure on the Rams. Dzikowski netted 11 points in the quarter, going 3-5 from deep.

The fourth quarter saw the Rams attempt a late comeback thanks in large part to Wright, who scored nine in the final quarter. Ryerson was able to cut the Gryphon lead to nine points with just under four minutes to play, but a Dzikowski three put the Gryphon's ahead 56-44, effectively crushing any chance the Rams had at a comeback.

Guelph will look to make it 2-0 at home when they take on the visiting Toronto Varsity Blues Saturday night at the W.F. Mitchell Centre. Tipoff is scheduled for 6pm.