Box Score A strong fourth quarter got the No. 5 Varsity Blues women’s basketball team past the Ryerson Rams in the second semfinal of the OUA East Final Four on Saturday night (Feb. 26) at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.
With the win, the Blues advance to the OUA East final tomorrow at 5 p.m. versus the Carleton Ravens, who defeated Ottawa in the first semifinal of the day. The Rams will play Ottawa for third place at 3 p.m.
Fourth-year guard and Brampton, Ont., native Sherri Pierce was named the player of the game for her 21-point performance. Toronto native Nicki Schutz added a double-double of 12 points and 16 boards, while veteran guard Erin McNeely of Kingston, Ont., had 10 points and five assists in the victory.
Leading only 33-30 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Pierce nailed back-to-back three-pointers with six minutes remaining to spark the home squad and gain a lead that would not diminish.
After the Blues built a 14-10 lead, both teams struggled throughout the second quarter, with only two points scored in the first six minutes. The Rams surged ahead thanks to third-year forward Angela Tilk (Welland, Ont.) and held Toronto to a mere two points in the second quarter.
Ryerson was up 17-16 at halftime.
U of T opened the third quarter with an 11-5 run, but Ryerson came back in the dying minutes, capped off by a Ashley Clarke (Montreal) three at the buzzer to bring the game within three heading into the fourth.
Fourth-year guard Ashley MacDonald of Port Colbourne, Ont., led the Rams with 12 points, five assists and three steals, while Tilk ended the night with 11 points and seven rebounds.
OUA Women’s Basketball East Playoff Schedule:
Wednesday, February 23
5:45 p.m. York at Ottawa (OUA East Quarter-Final) 53-67
6:00 p.m. Queen’s at Ryerson (OUA East Quarter-Final) 51-62
Saturday, February 26 at Toronto
4:00 p.m. Ottawa vs Carleton (OUA East Semifinal) 51-65
6:00 p.m. Ryerson vs Toronto (OUA East Semifinal) 41-53
Sunday, February 27 at Toronto
3:00 p.m. Ottawa vs Ryerson (OUA East 3/4)
5:00 p.m. Carleton vs Toronto (OUA East Final)
