Box Score
Guelph, ON – The goal was to defend the home court this weekend. The Guelph Gryphons women's basketball team got it right Friday against Carleton. But the undefeated Ottawa Gee-Gees rode a huge fourth quarter to a 72-69 comeback win over Guelph at the WF Mitchell Centre Saturday night.
 
It was a shocking turnaround in the fourth quarter. Guelph (3-1) looked in command after three as fifth-year forward Kate MacTavish scored 13 of her game-high 27 points in that period alone to build a seemingly comfortable 55-44 lead for the hosts. But Ottawa came out strong in the fourth. The Gee-Gees pressed relentlessly and knocked down several key three pointers from Julia Soriano and Sarah Besselink to erase the double-digit lead quickly. The Gee-Gees outscored Guelph 28-14 in quarter and came out on top after looking out of answers earlier in the game.
 
The Gryphons managed a big 6-0 run to tie the game briefly in the dying minutes. But like MacTavish in the third, Ottawa's star forward Catherine Traer (24 points) took over, nailing a dagger three-pointer to make it 68-65. Dana Van Balkom sunk two free throws to get the Gryphons within one at 70-69. But Traer finished again in the offensive end and Guelph was unable to get a clear desperation three off before the buzzer sounded.
 
Van Balkom finished with 12 points, while Bridget Atkinson added 12.
 
Guelph led 37-29 at the half but the Gee-Gees opened the third quarter with a 5-0 run as Soriano buried a three from the top of the key. The Gryphons stood firm and managed to make a couple consecutive baskets as the shot clock wore down, frustrating the Gee-Gees, who were working hard on defence.
 
MacTavish, who also led all players with 10 rebounds, went to work in the third quarter. She muscled her way to a couple key baskets to keep the surging Gee-Gees down. MacTavish then cleaned the glass on defence, was fouled and made two free throws to give Guelph a 47-34 lead.
 
Ottawa started the game much like they finished. The Gee-Gees established an early presence inside and led 7-2 in the opening minutes. But the Gryphons managed to sink enough free throws to keep it close. Guelph worked hard on the defensive end and began to attack the basket with regularity. Van Balkom keyed a run with a couple field goals and one rainbow three-pointer from the left wing.

 
The fifth-year guard picked up her third foul in the second half and Ottawa seemed to get some momentum going when Van Balkom went to the bench.