HAWKS BEAT YORK IN PRESEASON ACTION
ETOBICOKE, ON: In what may be perhaps the most grueling preseason schedule in the country, the reigning national champions played their first game at the Humber Athletics Centre. With nine new faces on the roster, the women's basketball team continues to grind in preparation for the 2016-17 OCAA season.
Thursday evening saw the Hawks host the York University Lions, a program that owns two OUA championships.
The Hawks jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter and went into half up nine on the Lions with the score 40-31. Making her return to Humber basketball, Aleena Domingo (Toronto) who currently sits ninth all-time in scoring, finished the half with a game-high nine points in only eight minutes of action.
After halftime adjustments, the Lions came storming out the gates and outscored the Hawks 28-18 in the third frame. Undeterred and never rattled, the Hawks slowed down the tempo, forcing the Lions to play their brand of basketball. Down the stretch, fifth-year forward Chioma Oriuwa (Brampton) hit some big free-throws to seal the win for the Hawks, who won the game 70-67.
To absolutely no one's surprise, superstar guard Ceejay Nofuente (Toronto) reminded everyone watching why she is the best player in the CCAA. The reigning OCAA female athlete of the year finished the game with a quadruple-double, ending with: 22 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, and 15 steals.
Domingo, Jill Semple (Etobicoke), and Leticia Lopez (Toronto) finished with 11, 13, and 11 points respectively for Humber.
The win improves Humber's exhibition schedule to 4-4 on the year. The Hawks will face the Lions on Saturday, October 15 on the road in their last tune-up game before the OCAA season begins.
