Windsor, Ont. – Despite having to hop on the bus and begin their season on the road in Windsor, the Guelph Gryphons managed to take care of business Wednesday night en-route to a season opening victory.
 
Behind 21 points from MacKeely Shantz and 17 points from Burke Bechard, the Gryphons were able to spoil the Windsor Lancers home opener to the tune of an 85-58 win.
 
Although the final score may lead you to think otherwise, it actually took the Gryphons a few minutes to get their feet under them Wednesday night. Three minutes into match, trailing 6-0 and still without a basket, Burke Bechard, like she always seems to do, provided the Gryphons with a spark. Getting a steal on defence, the Port Dover product quickly transitioned the other way before laying the ball up and in. After those two points, it was almost like a switch went on for Guelph.
 
After getting the game tied 11-11 off a three-pointer from Trinity Papamandjaris with  4:01 to play in the opening quarter, not only had the Gryphons already recovered from their early stumble but they would take off from there, never trailing again the rest of the game.
 
Ultimately going on to take a 23-18 lead by the end of the quarter, the Gryphons continued to pour on the pressure for the rest of the match. Outscoring Windsor 19-15 in the second frame, the Gryphs were able to build a 42-33 halftime lead over the hometown Lancers.
 
Wanting to not just maintain their pressure against Windsor throughout the second-half, but instead continue to increase it, the Gryphons came out flying in the third quarter and were able to put themselves in a comfortable position to come down the stretch. From the 6:20 mark of the third quarter to the 4:03 mark, the Gryphons were able to put together a 10-0 run thanks to field goals from Shantz, Bechard, Natalie Vigna and Skyla Minaker, which at the time had extended the Guelph lead to 54-38. Although Windsor did their best to battle back, Guelph still managed to maintain their 16 point lead heading into the fourth.
 
Taking advantage of their lead, the Gryphons were able to play the fourth quarter free and loose, much like they had been playing all game. Making plenty of shots still, the Gryphs further built up their lead throughout the final minutes of the contest until the buzzer sounded on Guelph's 85-58 victory.
 
Connecting on four of five three-point attempts, Shantz, a 2nd-year guard out of Platsville, Ontario, put forth a tremendous start to her sophomore season after showing plenty of promise in her rookie campaign.

To no one's surprise, Burke Bechard once again looked like one of the top players in the OUA on the court Wednesday. A 2^nd-Team All-Star from 2019/20, the Psychology major looks set to take her game to the next level after her 17 points, nine rebounds and three steals night.
 
Also making an impact of the Gryphons in Windsor was Julia Colavecchia. The 1^st-year Human Kinetics major poured in 11 points over 22 minutes in her Gryphon's debut while also recording four rebounds and two steals.
 
Looking to improve to 2-0 to start the 2021 season, the Guelph Gryphons will return home on Saturday to play their home-opener against the same Windsor Lancers squad. Tip-off from the GGAC is scheduled for 2:00pm.