Gee-Gees drop Voyageurs, set to host OUA Wilson Cup Final Four, presented by Recharge with Milk
After a record setting regular season, the Gee-Gees continued their strong play as they downed the Laurentian Voyageurs 116-79 in the OUA quarter-finals. The win extends uOttawa’s season as they will now host the OUA Wilson Cup Final Four, presented by Recharge with Milk.
After a record setting regular season, the Gee-Gees continued their strong play as they downed the Laurentian Voyageurs 116-79 in the OUA quarter-finals. The win extends uOttawa's season as they will now host the OUA Wilson Cup Final Four, presented by Recharge with Milk.
"Being an alumni here this is really important to me. Hosting the OUA Final Four here on home court is great for the team, fans and the school, it is going to be a great experience," said head coach James Derouin in a post-game interview. "I liked the way we came out in the first half because it made it hard for them to get into the game. We rebounded and got lots of assists and that's what we want on a nightly basis "
It was a balanced effort for uOttawa as all five starters finished the game in double digits, something that has been a key to the Gee-Gees success all season long. Ottawa hit 16 times from deep on the night on 16-32 shooting.
uOttawa came storming out of the gates shooting a scorching hot 7-11 from long distance in the first quarter alone. The result was 37 point quarter for the squad, as they jumped ahead early on the Voyageurs, extending their lead to 60-33 by the halftime break.
Laurentian appeared to gain some momentum in the second half, as they refused to roll-over and give in to Ottawa. Tychon Carter-Newman carried the Voyagers on his back in the second half in attempts to get his team back in the game. He finished with 34 points and five boards in the game but the team's slow first half was too much to overcome.
Caleb Agada appeared fired up in the first half as he finished off an alley-opp pass from Mike L'Africain in transition. He would later take another pass from L'Africain to complete the breakaway flush. The third-year forward finished the game with a near triple-double with 22 points and 13 boards and nine assists. Mike L'Africain also had a big outing for Ottawa scoring 20 points and four assists on 5-7 shooting from beyond the three point line.
"We are a great group in terms of balance. We know that we can rely on each other for anything on and off the court," said Agada. "We have been breaking records all season so the fact that we are now first seed, I think is well deserved. We just have to keep playing our game like we did tonight and we will be just fine in the playoffs."
Alex Ratté made his long awaited return to the line-up on Saturday night after missing the entire regular season due to a nagging knee injury. Making his return even more special is the fact that it came against his former team where Ratte spent the first three years of his CIS career. He recorded his first points as a Gee-Gee in the third quarter on back door layup. The Ottawa native will play more and more minutes as he returns to game form.
In other OUA playoff action, the Windsor Lancers upset the McMaster Marauders earlier in the day, punching their ticket to the Final Four championship next weekend. The Carleton Ravens and the Ryerson Rams will complete the tournament.
Tickets are on sale now online.
Source: Ottawa Gee-Gees