RECAP: Gee-Gees topple #1 Carleton Ravens in final showing of 2023

The Gee-Gees women's basketball team took on the #1 Carleton Ravens in a Wednesday night thriller. Ottawa earned a 74-56 win, forcing Carleton into their first loss of the season.

"This is us. This is not because of the rivalry, this is not because we were excited to play against the number one team, this is who we are and we have been waiting to show it," said Gee-Gees head coach, Rose-Anne Joly. "We're there now and I'm really happy about that."

The crosstown rivals met at Montpetit Hall for a 6 p.m. tip-off.

Ottawa came out flying, with Ariane Saumure heading the charge, the Gee-Gees claimed an early 10-0 lead. Despite the barrage of successful three-pointers made by Ottawa, Carleton kept themselves in it, only dealing with a 23-20 deficit after the opening 10 minutes.

The Gee-Gees were able to extend the lead back to double-digits, holding the Ravens to only four points in the second quarter. Heading into halftime, Ottawa had a 40-24 lead.

It seemed that it was Carleton who was controlling the third quarter, but after a three-pointer by Melina De lulio, the momentum was entirely back on Ottawa's side. Allie McCarthy was the impact player for the Garnet and Grey, logging her third three of the night before ending the quarter with a huge block to keep the Ravens at bay.

With only 10 minutes left to play, the Gee-Gees were up 53-39.

As one would expect, the #1 team in the nation were able to cut the lead down to single digits, with the Gee-Gees holding onto a 63-54 lead. Ottawa stepped up to the challenge, continuing to make plays on both sides of the ball to eventually give their rivals their first loss of the season. 

"Carleton has such a great offence, such great point guards and guards so we really had to lock in and focus on defence," said Emily Payne, who had eight rebounds, three assists and three blocks in the win. 

Saumure was the Gee-Gees points leader, putting up 21 points, eight rebounds, and 3 steals. McCarthy was next, logging 17 points, five rebounds, and two steals, followed by Natsuki Szczokin with 15 points and five assists.

"This is definitely a team effort, all girls stepped in and did what they had to do, the bench is going off. It's amazing playing at home with our crowd," said Szczokin. "Making sure that we were all in the game together and doing it as a team was the most important part of this win."

The Gee-Gees are now 9-1 heading into the break and will get the second half of the season started on Jan. 5, 2024 against the Queen's Gaels. Tickets are available for purchase at https://teams.geegees.ca/tickets.