GUELPH, Ont. - The Guelph Gryphons women's basketball team took the court at the Gryphons Athletics Centre on Friday night (Feb. 10) for the first of a three game home stand. Playing host to the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks the Gryphons put on an impressive defensive performance while receiving double-digit performances from four different starters on their way to a 78-63 win. With the win the U of G women's basketball team find themselves just one game back of the Waterloo Warriors, who currently sit in 1st-place in the OUA's West Division, and hold the all-important first round bye in the 2023 Critelli Cup Playoffs. 

The first quarter saw the Gryphons come out onto the court and quickly set the tone for the game with their defensive play, forcing 4 turnovers and coming up with 3 blocks. By the end of the game the Gryphons would force the Ridgebacks to turn the ball of 18 times while also stuffing the visiting team on 12 shot attempts. By the end of the opening quarter the Gryphs had built a 28-19 lead and appeared in firm control of the game. The second quarter saw Ontario Tech cut away at the Gryphon lead, outscoring the U of G women by 4 while holding them to just 28% from the field. They headed into the locker room at halftime trailing the Gryphs by just 5 points. 

After some halftime adjustments, the Gryphons came out shooting the ball much better and looked determined to extend their lead. Leading the way in the third quarter was Natalie Vigna, who scored 6 of her team-high 13 points in the third, while also coming up with 2 rebounds and a block. In her first game back from injury, Vigna scored 13 points and brought down 7 rebounds in the Gryphon win. Vigna wasn't the only Gryphon to have an impressive stat line as three other starters reached the double-digit mark. Standout guard MacKeely Shantz had maybe the best stat line of the night with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 blocks, and 3 steals. Niagara Falls native Julia Colavecchia also had a strong performance, scoring 12 points, including a trio of threes, while adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Finally, 3rd-year human kinetics major Lucy Tesseyman had one of her best outings of the season putting up 10points, 7 boards, and 4 blocks. The Gryphon defense would close out the game with a dominant 4th quarter, holding the Ridgebacks to just 9 points 13% shooting to claim victory. 

The Gryphons (14-5) are back in action at the Gryphons Athletics Centre tomorrow night for a matchup with the Windsor Lancers (9-10), who they will take on twice in their final three games of the season. Tipoff is set for 6pm with tickets available at gryphons.ca/tickets. Fans unable to attend can catch all the action live, online at www.oua.tv.