HAWKS EARN FIRST TRIP TO CCAA CHAMPIONSHIP WITH 78-58 WIN
WINDSOR, ON: For the first time in program history, the no. 2 Humber Hawks will be headed to the CCAA national championship game after a 78-58 win over the no. 3 NAIT Ooks Friday evening at St. Clair College.
Despite the final score, Humber began the game struggling from the floor, unable to put away open looks and failing to grab rebounds. NAIT opened the scoring with an early three and were able to keep the Hawks fast paced offence at bay by drawing multiple fouls to slow down the game. OCAA defensive player of the year Mary Asare (Brampton) picked up two quick fouls and was forced to watch the entire first-half from the bench. For only the second time this season, Humber trailed after the opening quarter aas they were down two after ten minutes of play.
NAIT began the second half with a quick 5-0 run when CCAA coach of the year Ajay Sharma called a key timeout to help his team gather their composure. The timeout seemed to be the cure for the Hawks, as they began to cut into the lead. With five minutes to go in the quarter, fifth-year forward Ruth Holland (Peterborough) converted an and-one to tie the game.
NAIT's leading scorer Torey Hill ran into foul trouble and had to spend the rest of the quarter watching from the bench. Humber then went on a run of their own, with Ceejay Nofuente (Toronto) finding Llyandra Kerr (Markham) down low to take the lead. The Hawks ended the quarter on a 10-2 run and went into half leading 31-23.
With Asare back in the game to start the second half, Humber began with another 6-0 run. Jillian Semple (Etobicoke) began to establish her presence in the paint, helping the Hawks to extend their lead to 14 after three quarters in the national semi-finals.
Behind an impressive 56.3 percent shooting in the second half, Humber cruised to the 78-58 victory. Once again, the Hawks showed their massive depth on their bench as ten players scored in the game.
Nofuente, the reigning national player of the year, demonstrated why she is the best player in the nation. The five-foot-eight point guard recorded a double-double, finishing with 15 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists.
Despite NAIT's size advantage, the Hawks outscored the Ooks 50-26 in the paint.
Semple was named Hawks player of the game after the six-foot-two forward finished with 12 points and eight rebounds.
The Hawks will now attempt to become the first OCAA women's basketball program to ever win the national championship. Humber will play the winner of the second semi-final game between Cegep Sainte Foy and Holland College Saturday evening at 8:30pm.
