THRILLING SECOND-HALF RALLY HELPS No.2 HAWKS DEFEAT MOHAWK
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mohawk | 18 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 55 |
|
Humber | 17 | 9 | 18 | 18 | 62 |
By: Eugerio Garro
ETOBICOKE, ON: A perfect season was the one thing on the mind of the Humber Hawks women's basketball team as they returned to the court for the first time in 2016. Hosting the 7-2 Mohawk Mountaineers, the Hawks battled to a 62-55 victory.
The first half of the game was full of action at both ends of the floor. Defence didn't seem to be an option in the first half as both sides went back and forth tossing up shots from anywhere. It was Mohawk, however, who had more success from beyond the arc tossing up three after three. Humber responded with a few threes but had more of their success in the paint.
The Mountaineers held Humber to a season-low nine points in the second quarter and went in to halftime with an eight point lead, 34-26.
The Hawks couldn't have started the second half any better than they did going on a 14-4 run to bring the game back even. Their struggles from long range continued however, shooting 1-15 in the second half.
In a game that saw ten lead changes and Humber struggling from the floor, the reigning OCAA champions were able to stay within striking distance of the Mountaineers.
With Mohawk recording 24 personal fouls, the Hawks were able to capitalize in the second-half, going 19-23 from the charity stripe. Third-year point guard Ceejay Nofuente (Toronto) had ten of her team-high 12 points come from the free throw line.
The win was a group effort on the Hawks part, something that is an ongoing trend for this team. Every player on the floor at the final buzzer finished the game in the double digits and did a great job at not allowing the Mountaineers to gain any momentum.
"First half I give a lot of credit to Mohawk," said Humber head coach Ajay Sharma. "It's typically how our games go against them. They just know how to jump out on us and jump down our throat."
Most of Humbers success came from within close range and Sharma made sure to emphasize that to his team continued throughout the game.
"They shot the ball well and we shot the ball pretty well too but we knew we had the advantage inside and we spoke about it at half time."
Former Ryerson Ram Jillian Semple (Etobicoke) recorded her third career double-double with the Hawks. The six-foot-two centre finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Peterborough native Ruth Holland, playing in her first game for the Hawks this season, also finished with 12 points will adding seven rebounds.
The win extends the Hawks win streak to 26 consecutive games against OCAA opponents.
Up next for the women's basketball team is a home game against CCAA No.13 Fanshawe Falcons (8-2, 2nd West) who have won six of their last seven games this season. Tip-off is set for 1:00pm on Saturday, January 16th at the Humber Athletic Centre.
