WBB | Voyageurs End 2024 With Defeat in North Bay

The Laurentian Voyageurs women's basketball team rounded out 2024 with their yearly trip down Highway 17 to face-off against the Nipissing Lakers in North Bay.

Both teams would go into this final matchup of the calendar year with similar records with the Vees being 3-7 while the Lakers would go into the game sitting at 2-8.

With the game underway both sides would go back and forth exchanging baskets leading to four lead changes in the first few minutes of the game. Neither side was really able to build a sustained lead with the lone point of difference in the first ten minutes being the Lakers ability to knock down three of their seven three point shots while the Voyageurs hit only one of their five attempts allowing Nipissing to take a slim two point lead into the second quarter. 

The second quarter was when the Lakers really began to take over. Spearheaded by their dominance in the rebounding department in which 7 of their 14 rebounds in the second quarter came on the offensive end. This would lead to Nipissing outscoring Laurentian 19-10 in the second building an 11 point 35-24 lead going into halftime.

The third quarter saw Laurentian turn the tides a bit. While they still struggled to find any real consistent offense, their defense in the third quarter was nearly perfect. They outrebounded Nipissing 17-10 and held the Lakers to just 2-14 shooting from the field. The Voyageurs would end the third quarter outscoring Nipissing 12-6 cutting the lead down to 5 and right within striking distance going into the final ten minutes.

The late game push seemed to be on for the Voyageurs as with just three minutes to play a three point shot made by Princess Bernardino gave Laurentian a one point lead at 52-51. Unfortunately for Laurentian the Lakers would end the game on a 6-0 run finishing the game with a score of 57-52 in favour of the home team. 

Laurentian top performer on the night was Emilie Lafond who put up a game high 17 points along with 8 rebounds and 2 assists to round out 2024.

The Voyageurs will look to make a second half push in 2025 as they continue their quest towards qualification into the OUA playoffs with their first game of the new year on Friday, January 10th at 6pm when they travel to face-off against the Queen's Gaels.

- Andrew Lemieux