No. 2 HAWKS SOAR BY No. 7 ST. MARY'S
WINDSOR, ON: The no.2 Humber Hawks opened the CCAA National Championship with a dominant 83-47 victory over the no.7 St. Mary's Lightning from Alberta. Reigning national player of the year Ceejay Nofuente (Toronto) finished with a team-high 19 points and added nine assists, seven boards, and six steals.
The Hawks have been notorious this season for beginning games slow; however this time it was different. Third-year guard Amber Bechard, playing in her hometown in front of friends and family, opened the scoring for Humber. Ontario's most prolific offence continued to press the Lightning, opening the game on a 13-0 run. The Hawks prevented the Lightning from scoring for the first six minutes of the game. When the first quarter ended, Humber was leading 22-7.
Humber's stifling defence continued into the second quarter as they smothered St. Mary's offence by challenging every shot and attacking the glass. St. Mary's, who averaged 78 points per game this season, was only able to record one field goal in the frame and finished the half shooting a season-low 13.3 percent.
Down 31 points at half, the Lightning tried to chip away at Humber's lead but the Hawks continued to play team basketball, displayed by their fantastic ball movement and aggressive defence. Deep threat Sasha Bertusa (Burlington) found her stroke in the second half, hitting from deep whenever St. Mary's tried to make a move. In the end, the Lightning were no match for Humber and the Hawks cruised to a 83-47 victory.
The Hawks finished with four players in double figures including all-star Llyandra Kerr (Markham) with 14, Jillian Semple (Etobicoke) with 13, and Ruth Holland (Peterborough) with 10.
Montana Romeril, who was second in the country in scoring after averaging 28 points, was held to five points after shooting one for 11 from the floor.
Semple narrowly missed a double-double after grabbing nine rebounds, while limiting St. Mary's six-foot-four forward Kassandra Harkema to one point.
All 12 Hawks entered the game and all 12 finished with at least two points.
The Hawks will now play the no. 3 NAIT Ooks tomorrow evening in the championship semi-finals. The Ooks advanced after defeating the VIU Mariners in the tournament opener. Tip-off is set for 6:00pm.
