GUELPH – The Guelph Gryphons women's basketball team is beginning to understand what it's like to play in meaningful games. And the young Gryphons are evidently prepared to embrace the big stage. With home court in the playoffs on the line, Guelph rode a 55-point explosion in the second half to defeat the Western Mustangs 85-76 in front a big Saturday afternoon crowd at the GGAC.
 
"These guys really wanted this game," said head coach Mark Walton.
 
Third-year guard Sarah Holmes had a career-high 25 points, while rookie point guard Skyla Minaker equaled her career-best with 22 points, adding 6 assists and 5 rebounds.

The game was a preview of this coming Wednesday's OUA opening round postseason game -- and the desperation was evident. The Gryphons and Mustangs entered the day with identical 13-10 records, meaning the winner would host next week. It didn't seem to phase Guelph, a team that has developed an intense identity over the course of the season.
 
"It's our defence," said Holmes, who returned to the lineup last month after an extended absence with illness to spark the team. "We want to drive our opponents crazy, pressuring them, pressing them. It's the culture we've been pushing."
 
The Gryphons came up with arguably their best second-half performance of the season when they needed it most. Holmes buried one her 4 three-pointers at the 6:30 mark of the fourth quarter and was later fouled while making a left-handed shot inside. She sunk the free throw, putting Guelph up 72-64. Julia Kokonis scored inside to push the lead to double digits and the Gryphons closed like a team with lots of experience.
 
When the game ended, the crowd rose to its feet in applause, including the Gryphons' men's team, which was ready to take the court for Senior Day.
 
Both Guelph and Western came out of halftime firing, with the Gryphons getting some momentum on a Holmes three-pointer and a Minaker field goal. The rookie then took the game over, scoring 15 of 19 Guelph points in one incredible stretch. Minaker swished a three from the right corner to give Guelph a 53-52 lead and nailed another from the right wing to put them up 58-54. She then stole the ball at half court and set up Ashley Wheeler for a bucket and foul. Wheeler missed the free throw but got the ball back and scored, giving the Gryphons a 62-56 lead after three quarters despite trailing 37-30 at halftime.
 
Minaker had been battling shin splints and was unsure if she would play.
 
"Skyla plays with such poise and control," Holmes said of her first-year teammate. "You don't see that very often from a rookie. She's stepped into every role that's been asked of her."
 
Western guard Mackenzie Puklicz gave the Gryphons headaches early, scoring 20 in the first half on 7 of 14 shooting (3 of 6 from long range), though she finished with 22.

 
The Mustangs got off to a quick 5-0 lead but Guelph settled in and began to push offensively and ramp up the defensive pressure. Holmes showed some nice touch to bank one in from in close for Guelph's first lead of the game at 12-10 and Guelph forced two shot clock violations in a short span. Western remained poised, thanks in part to the red-hot shooting of Puklicz, and ended the first quarter up 26-19.
 
It became harder to find offence in a closely-contested second quarter as each team managed to put up 11 points, with Western leading 37-30.
 
Walton thought his players were nervous early, especially after Western's hot start.
 
"We kept preaching, keep on them, keep wearing them down and eventually, their legs won't be there," said Walton. "By the end of the game, they had players that didn't want the ball anymore."
 
Walton singled out Nyasha Mombeshora, who came in and played incredible defence in limited minutes.
 
"Someone will step up off the bench and be that sparkplug for us," the coach said, praising Mombeshora's effort.
 
"It's so nice to see them all step in and play quality minutes."

Walton talked about the team's growth and referenced how they were ranked 46th of 47 teams in the preseason last year. Now, they will host a playoff game on their home court.

"We're starting to be contenders and need to be dealt with," he said. 

The playoff rematch is Wednesday, Feb. 21 at the GGAC. Tip time is 7 pm.