Lambton hands Women's Basketball first home loss of the season

By: William Shoukri
Humber Athletics Communications

ETOBICOKE - Women's basketball (7-5, 5^th West) lost a tough matchup against the Lambton Lions (11-2, 1^st West) 74-62 at home on Saturday. Teija Wareham had her best game of the season, putting up a 12-point-12-rebound double-double and playing over 35 minutes against Lambton's best.   

Game Recap

With the 10-2 Lambton Lions visiting, Humber knew they would have a tough game ahead of them. Facing a team at the top of the conference for the second game in a row, the Hawks knew it was going to be a battle at home.

The Lions showed early on why they're the no. 10 team in the nation. They play a tight, pressure-focused defensive scheme, with a tight full court press, and a zone coverage that collapses into the paint. The Hawks had trouble getting clean looks from in tight early on as Lambton crowded the driving lanes and cut off seam passes. Lambton would leave the quarter with a 22-13 lead. Sidney Crawford led the Hawks with seven first-quarter points.

Both teams came into the second quarter playing intense, fast-paced basketball. Humber dialled in on defence and managed to hold Lambton scoreless through the first two minutes of the quarter, closing the lead to just five in the meantime and forcing the Lions to call their first timeout. Lambton would regain their momentum after the pause and create an 11-point lead before a deep Kia Watt three and a tough Sarah Baptie lay would bring the Hawks back to within six. The teams would trade baskets down the stretch, with Humber slowly closing the gap thanks to clutch defensive plays from throughout the lineup. The Hawks were down five points with less than three seconds in the quarter when a controversial foul would be called on Humber guard Katherine Khorovets. Humber would go into halftime facing a 43-36-point deficit. Teija Wareham led the way for the Hawks with six second-quarter points. She finished the half with 10 points and seven rebounds, leading the team in both categories.

It was defence-first for both teams in the second half, with neither squad scoring a basket at the eight-minute mark. Humber would open the scoring just over two minutes into the half with a Kia Watt free throw but Lambton would respond on the ensuing possession. The two teams would go back and forth, trading buckets, but Humber would slowly close the lead. Teija Wareham would draw a charge midway through the quarter with the Hawks down five to get the bench and the crowd on their feet. Wareham would add to the play by knocking down a tough jumper to get the Hawks within three. Lambton would begin to pull ahead once again as Humber struggled to get clean looks and knock down baskets in the quarter's final minutes. Sapna Deo would splash a buzzer-beating basket to end the third, but the Hawks were down 61-50 through three quarters.

Lambton wouldn't overextend themselves in the fourth quarter. Owning a fairly commanding nine-point lead, the Lions would settle back into their defensive system and focus on getting smart buckets. The Hawks would do a good job of staying with Lambton, trading baskets with the best team in the conference down the stretch. Lambton would hold the Hawks at bay, leaving with a 74-62 win. Kia Watt led the Hawks in scoring with 15 points.

Game Notes

• This was the Hawks' first home loss of the season.
• Teija Warehams' 12 rebounds are a season high.
• Humber's 62 points are the second most Lambton has surrendered this season.
• Sarah Baptie recorded her third double-double this season, she leads the Hawks in rebound averaging eight per game.

What's Next?

Women's basketball will go back-to-back as they face St. Clair (9-2, 2^nd West) at home on Sunday. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM and you can catch the action on Hawks Sports Network.