HAMILTON, Ont. – With the OUA basketball postseason now just a week away, it will be nothing but top tier competition from here on out for the playoff-bound Guelph Gryphons women's basketball team. On a snowy Wednesday night in Hamilton, the visiting Gryphons got first-hand look at one of the top tier teams in the entire country. The Gryphons dropped a 91-72 decision to the No. 3-nationally ranked McMaster Marauders at Burridge Gymnasium. The Gryphons out-rebounded McMaster 55 to 43, but were undone by a swarming Marauder defence that forced the Gryphons into 27 turnovers on the night.
 
Sophomore guard Burke Bechard led the Gryphons with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while second-year point guard Skyla Minaker added 13 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Third-year centre Modupe Okeowo recorded a double double for the Gryphons (8-15) with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Marauders (20-3) were led offensively by Hilary Hanaka, who poured in a game-high 24 points, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc.
 
16 of Guelph's 27 turnovers came in the opening half of play, helping McMaster take a 12-point lead into the locker room at the break. The Gryphons came out strong in the 3rd quarter, outscoring McMaster 23-21, but the OUA West-leading Marauders would respond with a strong 4th quarter (26 points) to seal their 20th win of the season.
 
The Gryphons know they will be on the road next Wednesday (Feb. 20) for the OUA's opening round of playoffs, but whether they are the No. 5 or No. 6-seed in the OUA West is still to be determined. The Gryphons (8-15) and Laurier Golden Hawks (8-14) are set to meet on Saturday afternoon in Guelph. Laurier will play Friday night at home versus Waterloo before closing out the regular season Saturday in Guelph.
 
The No. 5-seed will head to St. Catharines next week to face Brock, while the No. 6-seed in the OUA West will head to either Windsor or Lakehead for the opening round of playoffs.
 
Gryphon Take
"We gave them too many easy opportunities. Open layups in transition and open three off of offensive rebounds. You can't beat great teams doing that, and Mac is a great team."  – head coach Mark Walton
 
The Record
Guelph is 8-15
 
Next up
vs Laurier Golden Hawks - Saturday, Feb 16, 1pm