GUELPH, Ont. – For the second season in a row the Guelph Gryphons women's basketball team is on to the quarterfinal round of the OUA Playoffs. On Wednesday night (Feb. 22) the Gryphons played host to the 11-seeded York Lions and claimed a hard-fought 83-74 victory. The U of G women were led by a pair of standout senior guards in MacKeely Shantz and Natalie Vigna, who scored a combined 42 points in the postseason win. With the victory over the Lions the Gryphons claim their spot in the OUA quarterfinals on Saturday (Feb. 25), when they will take the short trip down highway 6 for a 2pm date with the 3-seeded McMaster Marauders.
 
After an incredible regular season which saw the Gryphons women's basketball team open the year with an 8-0 run as one of the top ranked teams in the nation and finish the season winning four of their last five games. With a 16-6 record the Gryphons entered the postseason as the 6-seeded team in the OUA's 12 team bracket. The Lions entered the playoffs with a 9-13 record and knowing it would take a special outing to knock off the Gryphons, as Guelph took their lone regular season matchup 82-72 (Nov. 19). A relentless Gryphon defensive effort, which came up with 6 blocks and 13 steals in the game, kept the Gryphons in this one early despite a slow start offensively.
 
The opening quarter saw both teams struggle to get their offenses in rhythm with the Gryphons turning the ball over 6 times in the first 10 minutes. Luckily for Guelph their defence would pick up the slack, holding the Lions to just 25% from the field while forcing 10 turnovers. 3^rd-year guard Renee Armstrong spearheaded the Gryphon attack in the first, scoring 9 of 14 points in the opening frame. The child studies major went on to finish the game with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, a block, and a steal. In the second quarter the Lions had their best offensive period of the game, scoring 34 points on 58% shooting to head in the half with a 46-37 lead.
 
In the third, 5^th-year Natalie Vigna would help extend her final season as a Gryphon with a 12-point quarter that saw her knock down a pair of threes and go 5-for-9 from the field. The Ancaster native outscored all players with her 25 total points on 50% shooting. She also added 4 rebounds, 2 assists, a block, and 3 steals. The Gryphons held the Lions to 4-of-14 from the field while shooting 45% at the other end to double the York point total in the quarter 24-12 and go into the final frame with a 61-58 lead. In the final quarter it would once again be the Gryphon defence leading the way, holding the visiting team to 25% from the field and 14% from beyond the arc while forcing 8 turnovers. 2021-22 OUA second team all-star MacKeely Shantz came up with a pair of huge blocks late in the period to all but seal the Guelph win. The Plattsville, Ontario native in her 4^th year of studies finished the game with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and a pair of blocks and steals. 3^rd-year guard Julia Colavecchia also had an impressive game scoring 10 points, including a pair of 4^th quarter threes, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and a block.
 
The Gryphons will now head to McMaster University on Saturday afternoon for a OUA quarterfinal matchup with the Marauders. The last time the Gryphons and Marauders met in the playoffs (Feb. 19, 2020) the two teams played to an 82-82 tie before the Marauders pulled out a 93-88 win in an absolute thriller. Tipoff for Saturday's OUA quarterfinal match is set for 2pm and can be seen live online at www.oua.tv.