WBB | Voyageurs Overcome Slow Start, Tame Thunderwolves

Friday night saw the Laurentian Voyageurs women's basketball team play their sole game of the weekend at home against the Lakehead Thunderwolves. The Voyageurs ended up with a much-needed win, 59-47, snapping a two game losing streak in the process.

Laurentian's defense came out of the gate locked in and ready for whatever Lakehead planned to throw at them. Empty possessions and unforced errors created by the Voyageurs defense allowed them to build a very early 15-7 lead over the Thunderwolves. They were able to hold Lakehead to just 7% shooting from the field and zero makes from three-point range on seven attempts.

The second quarter was a different story as, within the blink of an eye, Laurentian's solid lead evaporated as Lakehead began the quarter on a 7-0 run. It seemed as though the roles were reversed in this second quarter as, for most of the second, it seemed Laurentian could not buy a basket, going just 3-16 from the field and not hitting single three point shot of their own in the quarter. This meant that all the hard work from the first quarter seemed more or less irrelevant as Lakehead took a 22-21 lead into halftime.

The third quarter came out with a flurry of baskets from both teams, as, after a more defensive minded game was played for most of the first half, it was all offense in the second half. Laurentian also came back from the halftime interval having rediscovered their shot, going above 40% overall from the field and 50% from beyond the arc in the third. They also outrebounded Lakehead 10-5 in the third including six of them being offensive rebounds, leading to numerous second chance points. Momentum seemed to have firmly shifted Laurentian's way as they retook the lead, 42-35, at the end of the third quarter.

The fourth was all about keeping the status quo for the Voyageurs, which they did very well. Overall, it was not an outstanding final ten minutes of basketball played but Laurentian showed resilience and were able to keep their opponents at arm's length for most, if not all, of the second half leading, to a 59-47 victory for the hometown Voyageurs.

Laurentian's standout performer on the night was Héléna Lamoureux who came back from an injury that left her out the past three games. She ended with a game high 22 points along with eight rebounds and four assists.

The Voyageurs go again Wednesday night as they make their first and only midweek trip on the season to face-off against the Guelph Gryphons in Guelph at 6pm.

Andrew Lemiux