RHÉAULT-LANGUÉ AND RUSSELL FUEL OTTAWA’S EARLY 21–5 LEAD OVER TORONTO
This past Saturday, the Gee-Gees women’s basketball team took on the University of Toronto Varsity Blues at Montpetit Hall. After two back-to-back losses against the OUA East’s undefeated Queen’s Gaels and OUA Central’s first-ranked TMU Bold, the Gees were going into the game with a 6-7 record against a 4-9 Varsity Blues.
Ultimately, the Gees dealt the Varsity Blues their 10th loss of the season in a 73–52 decision. U of O’s efficiency, 44.6% shooting compared to Toronto’s 32.3%, kept U of T chasing all night. Although Toronto showed signs of life in the third quarter, foul trouble and missed free throws kept the Varsity Blues from ever fully closing the gap.
In the first quarter, Ottawa capitalized quickly as Ivany Rhéault-Langué scored on Ottawa’s first two offensive plays. Before Toronto’s defense could even reset, Bailey Russell, assisted by Allie McCarthy, followed with a three to make it 9–0.
Toronto did fight on the glass as Zi Wang and Gabrielle Reed combined for multiple offensive rebounds that created extra possessions; however, repeated misses stalled any momentum.
Varsity Blues’ Janet Enge finally broke through with a three at the five minute mark, but before their bench could even celebrate the Gees answered with yet another three from Russell. As the first quarter came to a close Enge drained another impressive buzzer-beating three, putting the score at 21–8.
In the second quarter, Toronto showed much better offensive intent as Lia Barbieri and Enge put in back-to-back threes. They also generated moments defensively with steals by Reed and Wang that disrupted Ottawa’s flow.
Keeping the margin steady were Gee-Gees’ McCarthy and Russell as they repeatedly answered Toronto baskets.
The Varsity Blues closed the half with another Barbieri three, but still trailed 39–30.
U of T began to match the Gee-Gees momentum as they came out of half-time. Wang was relentless on the glass, grabbing multiple offensive rebounds and finishing inside, while Faith Joseph and Enge successfully attacked from midrange.
Nevertheless, Toronto failed to cash in on multiple possessions that could have helped shrink the deficit. Later on, Wang missed two free throws, followed shortly by Wright missing both of hers. Moments later, Barbieri went 1-for-2, then Wang again missed two more. In less than a minute, Toronto left seven free throws unused.
Toronto’s struggle at the line came as no surprise, given that every Varsity Blues trip to the free-throw line was met with relentless cowbell ringing and roaring boos from the U of O student section.
The Gees punished every miss with Russell hitting a three off a steal, then followed with another deep make to restore separation. But when Comsa hit a late jumper and Joseph scored in transition, Toronto began to trail closer at 53–46.
Free throws set Toronto back yet again in the final quarter as Wang missed another pair. A hard night for Toronto at the line, finishing 4-for-13 compared to Ottawa’s 7-for-8.
The Gee-Gees, on the other hand, calmly pushed the margin to its largest at 23, thanks to Rhéault-Langué finishes, McCarthy pull-ups, and Reid’s late jumper.
Toronto continued to compete late, with Alex Jaglall scoring in the final minute, but as time wound down the Grey and Garnet secured the win with 73–52 on the board.The Gee-Gees are now tied for third in the OUA Central rankings, sitting right below the Carleton Ravens. With the Capital Hoops face-off fast approaching, be sure to mark your calendars for February 6. Get your tickets here, and don’t forget your cowbell.
