WBB | Voyageurs Come Up Just Short Against Gaels

Off the back of their win Friday night over the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks, the Laurentian Voyageurs women's basketball team were looking to cap off a perfect weekend and extend their win streak to three games with a victory over the visiting Queen's Gaels on Saturday.
The reverse fixture in Kingston earlier this season saw Laurentian come very close to an upset victory over the Gaels, and they were looking for revenge on Saturday afternoon, with a large crowd in attendance at the annual Sudbury Arena game.
As soon as the game got underway, both teams exchanged baskets, seeming to match each other stride for stride, as the lead changed hands four times in the first quarter. The difference-makers were Molly Adams and Emilie Lafond, who combined to score 17 of Laurentian's 19 first-quarter points. Adams contributed nine points, shooting 3-4 from beyond the arc, helping the Voyageurs take a 19-18 lead into the second quarter.
However, Laurentian's offense went cold in the second quarter, shooting just 9% from the field (0-5 from downtown), scoring only four points in total. On the flip side, their defense locked in, as they held Queen's to just 35% shooting and limited the Gaels to 14 second-quarter points. This helped mitigate the damage, and the Voyageurs went into halftime facing a manageable 9-point deficit.
The third quarter turned out to be some of the best basketball Laurentian had played all season. Immediately after the break, they went on a 10-0 run, taking a 33-32 lead in the process. From there, the two teams exchanged the lead multiple times, with Laurentian ending the quarter by outscoring their opponents 21-11. They retook the lead 44-43 heading into the fourth.
It seemed like an upset was within reach as Queen's began the fourth quarter on a 12-1 run. However, Laurentian fought back and brought it within one point with 40 seconds to go. Unfortunately for the Voyageurs, it would be just out of reach, as Queen's made a clutch basket with 16 seconds remaining, icing the game and securing a 59-56 win for the visiting team.
Laurentian's standout performers on the day were Emilie Lafond, who had an outstanding game with 25 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks, as well as Cadence Pecore, who contributed 10 points and three rebounds in 23 minutes of play.
Laurentian returns to action at the Ben Avery Gym on Wednesday night when they take on the Nipissing Lakers in a Highway 17 rivalry game. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. in Sudbury.
- Andrew Lemieux