HAWKS ROLL PAST QUEST, SET TO TAKE ON HOLLAND TONIGHT FOR BRONZE
The Hawks have a chance to come home with national bronze medal after a revitalizing 72-60 victory over the Quest University Kermodes. Player of the Game Ceejay Nofuente played with her heart on her sleeve for 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists and steals in the win.
After a flat and low scoring turnout last night the Hawks and Kermodes swiftly got to a 6-6 tie game. Both teams were moving the ball extremely well and the Kermodes took a 10-6 lead until guard Ceejay Nofuente drained a three from the top of the arc to make it a one point game. Forward Mary Asare returned to true form and nailed a three for Humber's first lead of the game. The Hawks made four three pointers with a combined 12 points from Nofuente and Asare to take a 21-15 lead by the end of the quarter.
Humber's defence tightened over the Kermodes with guard Amber Bechard headlining the shutdown with quick feet that drew a Quest travel in the paint. The Hawks dominated the flow of the game with crisp ball movement that Humber used to create space for forward Aleena Domingo to finish a passing play for 23-15 lead. The Kermodes exploded out of their timeout to an 8-2 run along with a defensive lockdown of the paint. It took a few minutes but the Hawks finally made some room for forward Atissa Cronk to throw up a contested shot off the glass for a 28-23 lead with over a minute left in the half. Shooting guard Hagopian followed suit with a tough drive from half court but the Kermodes ended the half with a last second three pointer to kill Humber's momentum going into the half with a 30-28 margin.
The Hawks went on an 8-1 run by the six and a half minute mark until the Kermodes made a few trips to the line to kick start a five point run. The Hawks made their mark with a Nofuente three pointer and a trip to the free throw line by Cronk to get back in the driver's seat with a 44-33 lead. Quest responded with a drive to the hoop but the Hawks kept their cool and manufactured short range baskets by Cronk and forward Aleena Domingo. Centre Ruth Holland came off the bench with five points highlighted by a huge three to get Humber on their way to a 53-41 lead at the buzzer.
In less than two minutes Quest kept the Hawks off the board and cut Humber's lead to seven points. But the Hawks were back on the run and a three pointer for Asare's 11th point put the Hawks back up by 12. Humber turned on the defensive pressure and Asare owned the perimeter when the Kermodes threatened to take any shot. With two minutes left Quest was knocking on the door of a six point deficit but the Hawks kept their composure and Nofuente ran the floor to create long and efficient possessions that frustrated the Kermodes. Humber stopped Quest on their end and Nofuente hit two free throws for a 66-54 lead with 40 seconds left in the game. The Kermodes threw a wrench in the Hawk's game plan with back-to-back three pointers for a 67-60 ball game and 24 seconds left in the game. Quest took their chance with a quick foul on Cronk and she thanked them by making two free throws in the final seconds. The Hawks stood up to adversity in what could have been their last game and redeemed themselves with a 72-60 victory.
The Hawks will play the winner of the Holland versus Sainte-Foy game at 5:30 p.m. PST.
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