SARNIA – Saddled up to keep the streak going.
On Saturday afternoon inside the Cestar Group Athletics & Fitness Complex, the Lambton Women’s Basketball Program secured their spot in the OCAA Quarterfinals with a 70-25 win over the visiting Centennial Colts.
With the win, which is their eighth consecutive victory, the Lions will now prepare to host their OCAA Quarter-Final match-up on Saturday, February 24th. On the flip side, the Colts see their 2023-24 season come to an end with the loss.
It marks the second consecutive year, and third season overall in the last four, that the Lions have ended Centennial’s season in the Crossover Match-up.
The Colts took an early lead after making the first basket of the afternoon, but that was short lived. Jennah Taylor (Sarnia, Ont.) got the Lions on the board on the next possession, and the home side was off and running. A late three from Maddy Bishop (Windsor, Ont.) put the Lions ahead by a dozen after the first quarter, at 23-11.
Throughout the afternoon, the Lions’ defense frustrated the Colts. The Lions forced the Colts into 36 turnovers, which they turned into 33 points on the offensive end of the floor. Centennial made just nine field goals on the day, shooting 16.7% (9-of-54) from the field.
The Lions held the Colts to just 14 combined points over the final three quarters, rolling to the 70-25 victory.
On offense, the Lions shot 35.4% (28-of-79) from the field in the win, getting contributions from up and down the lineup. Seven players had at least six points in the win, with forward Brett Fischer (Wallaceburg, Ont.) leading the way. The fifth-year forward had a game-high 14 points to go along with 12 rebounds and three steals.
Prior to tip-off, Head Coach Janine Day honoured the five graduating members of the program in a pre-game ceremony. Emily Van Hooft, Jordyn Britton, Avery Bathe-Minard, Jennah Taylor, and Brett Fischer were all honoured for their contributions to the Lambton Women’s Basketball program during their time as a Lion.
All five graduating players were starters on Saturday,
Now, the Lions will turn their attention to a rematch of last year’s provincial final. The Humber Hawks will come to Sarnia with a spot in the OCAA Semifinals on the line. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. inside the Cestar Group Athletics & Fitness Complex.
For more information, or for any media inquiries within Lambton College Athletics, please contact:
Tyler Bennett
Lambton College Sports Information & Marketing Coordinator
tyler.bennett@lambtoncollege.ca