A slow day for women’s basketball: recapping day two of the U Sports Final 8 National Women’s Basketball Championship

On Mar 14, UBC saw only two women’s basketball games at the War Memorial Gym. Only two sets of teams would be playing the consolation semifinals in hopes to extend their season one more day to achieve a fifth place. Mar 15 will have more women’s basketball matchups but you can find the results of day two’s games below.

Megan Swain/GATG

Consolation Semifinals #1 - University of Alberta vs Saint Mary’s University

UAlberta Pandas push for a fifth place as the SMU Huskies season comes to an end

The University of Alberta Pandas are moving forward to the consolation finals after a 68-61 win against the Saint Mary’s University Huskies, played at the War Memorial Gym on Mar 14.

Palmer Annacy opened the scoring for Alberta, quickly followed by a three-pointer. Yet SMU refused to fall behind, scoring right after. The game became a neck-to-neck battle, with a score of 13–12 by the five minute mark. It seemed like no team was allowing the lead to extend too much on the other team. 

The waters calmed during the second quarter with less point scoring but an increase in defence. Opportunities to score were there but SMU seemed to struggle to complete their plays. The Pandas defence was making it hard for the Huskies to shoot and score. They truly started off strong but were beginning to lag behind the Pandas as the quarter ended. With a score of 35–33 as the buzzer rang, both teams would need the halftime break to rethink strategies for a win. 

The break seemed to work for both teams as they entered the court with a newfound energy and motivation to push for offence rather than defence. The lead was traded back and forth, along with shots scored. As the clock ran out, Jayden Tanner aimed for a 3-pointer, securing a 55–54 score right before the buzzer rang. 

With such a tight score, the final quarter was a make-or-break for both teams. The quarter was characterized by the lead being traded between the Pandas and the Huskies. Clara Gascoigne from SMU pushed hard to push her team towards a win, but her efforts were not enough to match the Pandas’ collective prowess. With a final score of 68–61, the University of Alberta Pandas will now try and achieve a fifth place overall in the tournament.

The Pandas will play on Mar 15 at the War Memorial Gym with a 3:00 p.m. tip-off. 

Consolation Semifinals #2 - L’Université Laval vs Bishop’s University

Université Laval is driven by revenge to achieve a tight 63-61 win over Bishop’s University and get a chance at a fifth place

With a tight score of 63–61, the Rouge et Or claimed victory over the Gaiters on Mar 14 at the War Memorial Gym. 

The first quarter was defined by a high scoring Gaiters lead, with a 14–0 lead. Laval fought hard to level up but the Bishop’s Sandra Mbekou scored a three pointer to further extend the lead. This brought the Rouge et Or to have an 11 point deficit as the quarter ended.

The next 10 minutes were played in a similar manner, with Laval continuously trying to catch up to the Gaiters. Yet the team fortified their defense to keep the Rouge et Or to a low scoring quarter once again. It seemed like the team needed more time to regroup and rethink strategies which is why the halftime break was essential.

Entering the third quarter, Laval had a total transformation: a stronger defence that allowed for them to make offensive plays. They were able to tie the game at 35. The Gaiters tried responding to this newfound assertiveness but Laval continued to increase in momentum. Léa-Sophie Verret catalyzed the energy for the Rouge et Or, with continuous attacks on offense. 

Last 10 minutes of play were characterized by an exchange in lead, almost as if the teams were playing hot potato with it. Bishop’s Lea Boulanger held control early on, shifting the lead to 56–55. But Laval refused to let this be the end of their season. With only 30 seconds to go, the Rouge et Or had a single point lead. The Gaiters were so close to obtaining a win, but their efforts were not enough to regain their position on top.  Earlier in the season, the Gaiters beat Laval at the RSEQ championship. This loss seemed to fuel the motivation for the Rouge et Or to get the win during this matchup, with a score of 63–61.

Université Laval will now face the University of Alberta on Mar 15 at the War Memorial Gym, tip-off being 3:00 p.m.