Gee-Gees get revenge in Capital Hoops Classic
The women’s basketball team won their first Capital Hoops in three years on Friday, Feb. 1, as they managed to beat the Carleton Ravens 61-52.
Blowing an early 12-point lead, the Gees barely managed to pull away from the Ravens, taking advantage of a late fourth-quarter drive powered by Sarah Besselink, Jennifer Crowe, and Brooklynn McAlear-Fanus—who all hit baskets within the last three minutes of the fourth quarter.
Coming in riding a high from a week ago, the Gees were all over the Ravens in the first quarter. Despite missing many shots, they darted out to a quick 13-6 lead.
Alana Renon had seven points off free-throws and layups, while Angela Ribarich had two two-pointers from deep in the key, using her imposing six-foot-five frame to keep the ball out of the reach of her Carleton rivals.
In the second, the Gees started hitting more of their shots. Before half, Besselink and Crowe would both have three-pointers, and point guard McAlear-Fanus would jump-shoot for four. They would take a nice, cozy 29-18 lead to the dressing room.
The Ravens would come pecking back, with Cynthia Dupon scoring eight points in the quarter for Carleton, as they took advantage of a disastrous quarter to tie the game.
Early in the fourth, both teams would struggle to gain an edge, trading baskets multiple times. Finally the Gees would get opportune foul calls and take advantage of the Ravens’ indiscipline to pull away as Besselink, Crowe, and McAlear-Fanus all hit baskets within the last three minutes to give the Gee-Gees the win.
“Everyone was cheering and being supportive, and we knew we had to turn it on—and if someone missed, we all got up and cheered them on, and we came together as a team. It was great,” Gee-Gees forward Brigitte Lefebvre-Okankwu said.
For Andy Sparks, this was a momentous game and helped them greatly towards their bid for their first-place bye.
“It had been a while since we’ve beaten Carleton,” Sparks said. “They’d won the last three Capital Hoops, and it was big for us momentum-wise heading into the last stretch of the regular season, and a big step towards that bye.’’
The Gees will be back in action next Friday, Feb. 8, as they take on the Queen Golden Gaels in Kingston. As for home games, the Gees will be back at Montpetit Hall on Friday, Feb. 15 to take on the Laurentian Voyageurs.
Photos: Parker Townes.
