Laurier earns OUA bronze and CIS berth with double-OT win over Carleton
March 9, 2014

Laurier earns OUA bronze and CIS berth with double-OT win over Carleton

OTTAWA (March 8, 2014) - It took double overtime, but the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks women's basketball team was able to claim the OUA bronze medal and a berth into the CIS National Championship as they defeated the Carleton Ravens 70-65 on Saturday afternoon at the Ravens Nest. 
Whitney Ellenor of Pickering, Ont., tied the game up with 52.9 seconds left in regulation after the teams traded buckets through the last couple of minutes of the frame. The basket would eventually force overtime as Carleton was unable to capitalize on their final possession. 
"They started switching on screens a little bit, so it gave me a bit of a height advantage inside," commented Ellenor post-game on her team high 21-point performance. "I think having a bit more speed on some of their post players helped me out, as well."
Sophomore Kaitlyn Schenck of Kitchener, Ont., also had a strong game as she was able to net several key baskets helping the momentum shift to the purple-and-gold. 
"In the locker room, it was all about grinding down on defence and making sure we got those stops," said Schenck when asked about the ability to slow down the Carleton offence. "When we get those rebounds, it really helps our transition game and helps us get the easy baskets."

Schenck was named Laurier's player of the game as she finished with 16 points, five rebounds and two steals. 
The first overtime frame was evenly matched with both groups trading buckets to end at 63's. The second overtime, however, is where the Hawks were able to gain some extra momentum and widen their lead. Several missed shots combined with Carleton fouling allowed for the Hawks to create the gap.
"I think perseverance was a big characteristic tonight. Carleton's a tough team," commented head coach Paul Falco post game. "I thought the game could have gone either way, so you have to give them a lot of credit."
Carleton was led by OUA East Player of the Year Elizabeth Roach of Ottawa, who earned the only double-double of the contest with 20 points and 19 rebounds. She also picked up her team's player of the game honours. 
Early in regulation time, the teams traded baskets in a low scoring affair as both teams shot under 35%. It was 9-6 for the Hawks after the first frame and the second saw Carleton outscore Laurier 13-10 to tie up the contest at 19's.

Samantha Jacobs of Enniskillen, Ont., was a key defensive contributor for Laurier from a rebounding perspective, grabbing 13 including 12 defensive. Lee Anna Osei of Toronto, also added pressure on the Ravens and ea rned a pair of steals and a block. 

The victory gives the Hawks their highest finish in the OUA since they earned silver back in the 2003-04 season. The medal is the third that the purple and gold have won in their history, adding to a bronze that they took home in 2002-03.

Laurier last attended the CIS Championship in the 2010-11 season when they finished fifth. This year's event will take place in Windsor and will start next week. 

"It's great. It's especially great for our seniors," said Falco when asked about the win and moving on to the Nationals. "We've got four girls who were in Windsor three years ago for nationals and we're extremely motivated to get back and finish their careers there. It's a great accomplishment and it's going to be a good experience for our younger girls and we're looking forward to playing the top teams in the country."