WBB | Voyageurs Lose a Heartbreaker
The Laurentian Voyageurs lost to the Algoma Thunderbirds in a heartbreak fashion after both teams honoured Kobe Bryant to start the match.
Both teams accrued 24-second shot clock violations to start the match to honour the legendary basketball player Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers who lost his life tragically in a helicopter crash this past Sunday morning. It was a solemn moment for all and was one way to honour the life and legacy of one of the greatest human beings who has ever roamed this earth. Rest in Peace Kobe Bryant, heaven has now become a much better place with you in it.
In the backdrop of honouring Bryant, the match started and the Voyageurs went on a 17-0 scoring run. They held the Thunderbirds scoreless until the 3:20 minute mark when Rebecca Wylie successfully converted a free throw. She would go on to convert the next free throw as well to put her team's first two points on the board. The Voyageurs' scoring run was largely a result of the efforts of Héléna Lamoureaux and Gabby Schaffner who both scored eight and seven points respectively. Furthermore, Lamoureaux and Schaffner both went perfect from beyond the arc during this run. The Voyageurs shot 57.1% from the field while the Thunderbirds shot 25.0% from the field. Standouts from the Thunderbirds include Ayaka Nakashima with five points and Aimee Garland and Wylie who both scored four points each. At the conclusion of the first quarter, the Voyageurs led 21-13.
The Thunderbirds however came roaring back, scoring 14 points in the second quarter, all the while restricting the Voyageurs to just five. They went on an 8-0 run to start the quarter and due to a large part of this run, the Thunderbirds took a one point lead at the conclusion of the first half with the scoreline reading 27-26. It was a team effort from the Thunderbirds as four players added three points each and one player who added two points. The four players are Dionne Martin, Karly Fracalanza, Nakashima and Wylie whereas Aimee Garland added two points to her team's total. Schaffner from the Voyageurs added three points and Lamoureaux added two points. The Thunderbirds shot 26.3% from the field, whereas the Voyageurs shot just 6.3% from the field.
Both teams fought tooth and nail in the third quarter. Both scored 12 points but the Voyageurs were restricted to just 17.6% shooting while the Thunderbirds themselves shot 33.3% from the field. Sawyer Fischer was the leading scorer for the Thunderbirds with four points and Fracalanza and Thais Matte came runners up with three points each. On the other hand, the Voyageurs were led by Bailey Tabin with four points and Lamoureaux and Schaffner with three points each. The Voyageurs took the lead on three separate occasions but in the end, the Thunderbirds led 39-38.
The fourth quarter was a nail-biter. The Voyageurs tied the match with 5:38 remaining thanks to Maria La Rosa's layup. Following, the Thunderbirds regained the lead, only to be erased Lamoureaux and Scahffner whose jump shot and a three point bucket extended the Voyageur lead to four with 4:41 remaining. However, with just 1:05 minutes left in the match, Fracalanza sunk a three-pointer to give the Thunderbirds a late game lead that was eventually converted into a three point lead after Fracalanza scored on a free throw due to a foul. This meant that the Voyageurs controlled the last possession of the game but to their dismay, Lamoureaux was unable to score a game-tying three point bucket. Consequently, the Thunderbirds escaped with a one point, 57-54 victory.
Martin of Thunderbirds led the way with nine points in the quarter with Fracalanza in a close second place with seven points. The Voyageurs were led by Schaffner with six points and Sidney Crawford with five points.
The Voyageurs wore their pink jerseys for the annual Shoot for the Cure game, an initiative all U Sports women's basketball teams participate in to raise money to fight breast cancer. Saturday night the Voyageurs will take on the Guelph Gryphons in their last home game of the season, and they will honor their two graduating players. Tip-off is at 6 pm.
Wali Khan