Box Score
The Guelph Gryphon women's basketball team defeated the McMaster Marauders 76-68 this afternoon (Feb. 11) in Guelph at the W.F. Mitchell Centre. 

The Gryphons move to 9-11 while the Marauders drop to 10-10 in the OUA West.

Gryphon guard Ali Dzikowski (Brantford, ON) has gone through a number of ups and downs throughout her university career, overcoming numerous injuries to continue her career at the University of Guelph. In her final home game as a Gryphon, along with graduating seniors Samantha Russell (Paradise Valley, AZ) and Jasmine Douglas (Guelph, ON), a total team effort proved to be too much for McMaster and the girls were able to leave the W.F. Mitchell Centre one last time with a win.

Dzikowski led the way for the Gryphon's, nailing five three pointers and scoring 18 points to go with 11 rebounds. Marlee Freeman (Orillia, ON) had one of her best games to date, notching 18 points to go with three steals, disrupting the Marauders offence throughout the game. Douglas and Alyssa Shortt (Waterloo, ON) each added 10 points, while Russell finished with eight points, six rebounds, and an impressive five blocks.

All five Marauder's starters scored in double figures, with Taylor Chiarot (Hamilton, ON) leading the way with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Venessa Bonomo (Dundas, ON) put up an impressive stat line of 15 points, seven rebounds, and six assists while being hounded by Freeman all game long. McMaster's bench only contributed two points, while every Gryphon that played was able to get on the scorers card.

Freeman got the Gryphon's going early in the game, knocking down a pair of threes while forcing the Marauders into a number of turnovers. Guelph opened the game shooting 56% from the field, and led 23-17 after the first quarter. Freeman led with eight, while Bonomo netted six for McMaster.

Both teams turned up the defensive pressure entering the second quarter, with neither team able to break the game open. Guelph was able to push the lead to double digits before McMaster closed the half on a 14-7 run, to trail 38-35. Freeman led all scorers at halftime with 12 points, while Chiarot countered with 11 for the Marauders.
McMaster stormed out of the gates to open the 2^nd half, and was able to take the lead before Dzikowski started to heat up. Dzikowski's three followed by a runner in the lane by Freeman gave the Gryphon's a 54-50 lead entering the final quarter, with Dzikowski scoring seven in the quarter to have a double-double by the start of the fourth.

In the final frame, each team battled back and forth, with Guelph taking a slight 59-55 lead halfway through the quarter on yet another Dzikowski three pointer. Mac closed the gap to just one point before the Gryphon defence came to life, sparking a 12-0 run in just over a minute and a half to turn a 59-58 advantage into a 71-58 cushion. Mac continued to battle and cut into the Gryphon lead, but the Gryphon's held tough to give the seniors a 76-68 win in their final home games.

While Guelph was able to defend their home court, they still have to hit the road in the final leg before the OUA playoffs. The Gryphon's will travel north to take on the Lakehead Thunderwolves in a double-header next weekend, with games on February 17, and 18. Tip off for both games is scheduled for 6pm.