TORONTO – The Lambton Lions women’s basketball team split their two games over the weekend as part of the 2020 Sting Classic, hosted by the Seneca Sting.
After picking up a win over the Conestoga Condors in their final OCAA game of the 2019 calendar year, the Lions entered the 2020 Sting Classic looking to build some positive momentum as the second half of the season fast approached.
Equipped with a 6-4 record, the Lions were in tough in their first match-up of the event. Lambton was paired with the George Brown Huskies in their quarter-final contest. The Huskies came into the contest with a 6-2 record in the OCAA East Division, and were in a three-way tie for second place in the divisional standings.
Lambton raced out to a six-point lead after the first quarter, 21-15, putting the momentum behind them against a talented George Brown team. The second frame was a different story, however, as the Lions went cold on offense, putting up just three points in the quarter. George Brown took full advantage of the Lions’ offensive lull, putting up 22 points of their own to take a 37-24 lead at the break.
In the third, Lambton began to chip away at the Huskies’ lead. Behind eight points from Breanna Pretty (Sarnia, Ont.), the Lions outscored the Huskies by a 14-10 margin, cutting the deficit to nine point with a quarter to play.
The Lions completed the comeback in the fourth quarter, pushing the game to overtime after a 22-point frame. Lambton would ride their wave of momentum into the extra frame, pushing past George Brown for the 72-67 win to advance to the semifinals in the process.
Pretty led all Lambton scorers on the day with 25 points, while Taya Spears (London, Ont.) added 13 points of her own in the win.
Lambton’s reward for the win was a match-up with the Fanshawe Falcons in the semifinals. The two teams met in the first half of the regular season, with the Falcons coming away with a convincing 82-42 win over the Lions.
Saturday’s meeting between Lambton and Fanshawe followed a similar narrative to their first meeting of the season. The Lions were held to just six points in the opening quarter, and Fanshawe took full advantage on offense. The Falcons led 25-6 after the first quarter, and continued to build on their lead as the game wore on.
Fanshawe’s depth was on full display from start to finish, and the absence of third-year guard Cass Crowe (Sarnia, Ont.) showed for the Lions. Fanshawe cruised to the 74-39 win over Lambton, earning themselves a spot in the Championship Game in the process.
Pretty led all Lambton scorers once again on Saturday, finishing with eight points in a losing effort.
Lambton’s attention now shifts to the second half of their OCAA schedule. The Lions begin the 2020 portion of their schedule on Friday, January 10th inside the Lambton College Athletics & Fitness Complex against the visiting Redeemer Royals.
Opening tip on Friday night is set for 6 p.m.