WATERLOO, ON - The Guelph Gryphons women's basketball team got to work early on the road in Waterloo Saturday -- and they finished in style. The Gryphons rode a big first quarter and then scored the final 10 points of the game in a comfortable 70-54 win over the Warriors at the PAC.
Ashley Wheeler came off the bench and had a huge night for Guelph (9-6). The rookie forward from Stratford filled the box score with game-highs in points (16), rebounds (11, including 7 on the offensive glass) and blocks (3), while adding a team-best 3 steals (tied with
Dana Van Balkom) in 30 minutes of action. Point guard
Bridget Atkinson chipped in 15 points and 7 boards, while
Kate MacTavish scored 10 to go along with 7 rebounds before fouling out of the game.
Every time Waterloo got close, Guelph had an answer. The Warriors cut the lead to 41-37 midway through the third quarter but a Van Balkom three-pointer kickstarted a 12-2 run during which the Gryphons made 7 of 8 free throws. Waterloo's Kristen Osborne (13 points) scored 6 straight points to get the hosts close at 60-54 but Guelph pulled away again and scored the final 10 points of the game.
Guelph jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead when Van Balkom,
Kate Yallin (three-pointer) and
Barbara Inrig-Pieterse all hit jumpers. After a Waterloo three made it 10-10, the Gryphons went on a 13-1 run, capped by an Atkinson jumper early in the second quarter.
Wheeler was 4-of-6 from the floor with 9 points in the opening half and then hit 5 of 8 free throws to go along 7 boards and 2 blocks in the second half.
Despite a poor shooting night (38 per cent from the field and 54 per cent from the free throw line, Guelph out rebounded the Warriors 54-31. The Gryphons also had 10 steals and 5 blocks.
The Gryphons win over the Warriors also marked the final game of a six-game road trip in which Guelph posted a 4-2 record. The Gryphons will now return to their home court for the final four games of the regular season. The Gryphons last played at home on January 15, but will kick off the final home stretch of the regular season when Ryerson visits the W.F. Mitchell Athletics Centre on Wednesday, February 17.
