No.2 HAWKS WIN QUARTER-FINAL MATCH-UP AGAINST ST. CLAIR
Photo credit: ryanmcculloughphotography.ca
WELLAND, ON: Behind a season-high 26points from All-Star Llyandra Kerr (Markham), the Humber Hawks women's basketball team defeated the St. Clair Saints 90-81 Thursday afternoon in the quarter-finals of the 2016 OCAA Women's Basketball Championship.
Fourth-year guard Natalie Hagopian (Thornhill) opened the scoring for Humber; however in the first quarter the Saints were able to match the Hawks shot for shot. Capitalizing on five Humber turnovers, St. Clair was able to keep the game tied 24-24 at the end of the first quarter.
Humber came out flying in the second, playing up to the potential they had displayed all season long. The league's best defence smothered the Saints shooters and the offence took over from there. Fifth-year forward Kerr began using her size down low, scoring eight points in the second frame.
The Hawks went into half leading 51-38 and Ceejay Nofuente (Toronto) led the charge, scoring 24 first-half points.
The second-half was once again dominated by the Hawks, who continued to push the ball, putting pressure on the Saints defence.
2015 OCAA Player of the Year Shannon Kennedy stepped up for the Saints in the fourth quarter, hitting multiple three's and cutting into Humber's lead. Kennedy finished with a team-high 23 points; however it was not enough to overcome the deficit and Humber walked away with the 90-81 win.
Five Hawks ended the game scoring in double figures including Jillian Semple (Etobicoke), Atissa Cronk (Kingston), Hagopian, Kerr and Nofuente who finished with 10, 11, 17, 26, and 25 points respectively.
Playing her first game since being named to the West Division All-Rookie team, Felicia Velasquez finished with a game-high ten assists.
Nofuente was named player of the game for efforts in the game.
The first step in successfully defending their championship is complete and now the Hawks will set their focus on the semi-final game played Friday night at 6:00pm. Humber will take on the winner of the Fanshawe/St. Lawrence (K) game that will be played at 3:00pm.
For up-to-date scores throughout the tournament, be sure to check out the official 2016 OCAA Women's Basketball webpage.
