WBB - Voyageurs lose home opener to Gaels

On Friday night, the women's basketball team welcomed the Gaels to the court for their home opener. Although they were looking for redemption from last week's game, the Voyageurs came up short 75-48 against the Gaels.

The Vees set the tone with Emilie Lafond scoring the first two points of the game with a layup, approximately two minutes after tip off. The Gaels quickly answered with a 3-point shot, giving them an early lead. Shortly after, second year guard Claudia Pellerin made a combination of 5 points for Laurentian, while Rileigh Smith made a layup. At the end of the first quarter, the Voyageurs were trailing the Gaels 24-11.

To start off the second quarter, the Voyageurs were scoreless for the first two minutes, until Pellerin made two free throws. With a margin of 15 points for the Gaels, Aneisha Rismond added two points on the board for the Voyageurs, followed by another layup by Pellerin. The defensive pressure from the Gaels proved to be effective with several turnovers from the Voyageurs, leading to a timeout call from Laurentian. One minute later, Pellerin got fouled, leading to her making two free throws and another layup from Rismond. Going into the half, the Gaels were sitting in a comfortable 40-24 lead. 

To start the second half, Pellerin scored a jumper, followed by a layup from Lauren Robertson-Martin. The Gaels scored numerous points, giving them a bigger lead going into the last ten minutes of the game.

In the last quarter, a steal from Lyndelle Joseph gave Robertson-Martin another 2 points, followed by another steal from Robertson-Martin, resulting in a layup from Smith. A minute later, Melanie Cloutier made two free throws and Rismond made another layup. In the last two minutes, Megan Axiak sunk two 3-point shots, while Emilie Lafond made her first layup of the game. Unfortunately, the Voyageurs lost the game 75-48.

The standout performers were Claudia Pellerin with 14 points, Aneisha Rismond with 9 points and 8 rebounds, and Megan Axiak with 6 points.

The women are back in action in the Ben Avery on Saturday, as they take on the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks at 6pm.

-Madison Boileau