GUELPH, Ont. – Wednesday night at the University of Waterloo, the Guelph Gryphons women's basketball team suffered a 68-64 overtime loss to the host Waterloo Warriors. The Gryphons put themselves in position to win the game after sophomore guard
Burke Bechard made a pair of free throws with :41 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter to put the visiting Gryphons ahead 61-58. However, the Warriors would respond on the ensuing possession when third-year guard Aphia Ward drained a game-tying three-pointer with :23.4 seconds left in regulation. Gryphons second-year point guard
Skyla Minaker, who had a big night with 17 points and 9 rebounds, had her potential game-winning shot blocked on the final possession of the 4th quarter, sending the game into overtime.
In the extra frame, the Gryphons were unable to get anything going offensively, with the Warriors limiting Guelph to just three points in the OT period (all three points coming on free throws). Waterloo meanwhile were led by their standout rookie Kaitlyn Overeem (Brantford, ON) who ranks 10th in the OUA in scoring (13.6 PPG) and who scored three of her game-high 22 points in overtime.
The Gryphons received several strong performances on the night. Second-year centre
Modupe Okeowo recorded her second double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while fourth-year forward
Ivana Vujadinovic added 16 points to finish one off matching her season-high.
Wednesday night's loss marks the sixth straight for the Gryphons, who fall into a three-way tie with Waterloo and Laurier for 6th-place in the nine-team OUA West division standings. The Gryphons, who still have 11 games remaining in the regular season schedule, will face a tough test on their home court Friday night (Jan. 11) as they get set to host the No. 4-ranked McMaster Marauders (10-2).
The Record:
Guelph is 4-9 (tied 6th in OUA West)
Up Next:
vs McMaster Marauders - Friday, Jan. 11 (6pm)
