GUELPH, ON – The Guelph Gryphons women's basketball team wants to control its own destiny.
 
And the Gryphs took a step toward that goal on Friday night, defeating the Toronto Varsity Blues 73-56 at the W.F. Mitchell Athletics Centre.
 
The win kept Guelph in second place in the OUA Central Division standings with a 10-7 record, just ahead of the Brock Badgers (9-7). The battle for second place, and a possible home playoff game, could come down to the last game of the regular season, when the two squads play each other in Guelph.
 
But before that can happen, both the Badgers and the Gryphs have one more game against another division rival, McMaster. It's basically playoff-style basketball before the post-season actually begins.
 
"We've got Mac and Brock, and both teams have historically had strength in the playoffs," said Gryphs head coach Christin Dickenson. "To be able to face them leading into the playoffs is exactly the challenge we need to be successful moving forward.
 
"There's no better two teams to come and play us at home to finish out the Mitchell Centre. Head-to-head rivals both nights, it's going to be great basketball next weekend."
 
Friday night was Shoot for the Cure night in Guelph, the CIS Women's Basketball Coaches Association's annual fundraising initiative to raise money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and other related charities. Nearly $2,000 was raised on the night.
 
The Gryphs lived up to the occasion by shooting often and spreading out the offence, with nine players each scoring at least three points. Fifth-year forward Kate MacTavish of Waterloo, ON, led the way with 25 points and 10 rebounds. She dominated at both ends of the court despite heavy coverage from the Blues.
 
Second-year guard Bridget Atkinson of Welland, ON, had 12 points, six rebounds and six assists. Rookie forward Ashley Wheeler of Stratford, ON, chipped in with seven points while fifth-year guard Dana Van Balkom of Hamilton, ON, and sophomore guards Megan Brenkel of Thornhill, ON, and Haley Belyk added six points apiece.
 
The balanced attack pleased the head coach, who noted it's important that the team not rely entirely on MacTavish to carry the weight.
 
"For us to be a strong team going into the playoffs, in order to beat the teams that are in the top four or five positions, it has to be a team effort," Dickenson said. "And so I'm really thrilled with the fact that, getting toward the end of our season, you're seeing more of a team effort. That's a big positive."
 
Rahshida Atkinson scored 18 points to lead the Blues, who dropped to 6-10, good for third place in the OUA East Division.
 
The Gryphs, as mentioned, wrap up the regular season with two games next weekend – on Friday, Feb. 26 against McMaster, and on Saturday, Feb. 27 against Brock.
 
Both games will tip off at 6 p.m. Senior Night is set for Friday against Mac, and the Brock contest could mark the Gryphs' final appearance at the W.F. Mitchell Athletics Centre before their move next year to the new facility.
 
Of course, Dickenson pointed out, a playoff game at home will delay that farewell.
 
"We want to control our destiny as much as possible, and we're always playing for something," she said of her team, which has clinched a playoff spot, although a home game is by no means a certainty.
 
"(Clinching) means something, yes, and it's important that we took care of that, but it's what we do when we get into the playoffs that matters."