WINNIPEG, MB – (With files from Chris Zuk) To start the three-day University of Manitoba Women’s Basketball Invitational ‘Shoot for the Cure’ Tournament, the Winnipeg Wesmen won 70-59 over the Lakehead Thunderwolves.
Both teams have each two games remaining in the pre-season, non-conference tournament.
This was already the fourth encounter between the two teams in the early stages of the 2011-12 season. The Wesmen have now won all four contests as they also won 66-58 on Sept. 30 and 74-67 on Oct. 1 at Lakehead plus 64-63 Wesmen victory at Winnipeg on Oct. 7.
In this match-up, Winnipeg led throughout and continued to put the pressure on Lakehead in the fourth quarter to stop any chance of a comeback attempt by the visiting Thunderwolves.
At half, Winnipeg had a 35-23 lead and would not let the lead fall below eight points for the second half. For Winnipeg, they had a balanced attack as the whole bench was used and five players were in double digits. The Wesmen was led by top scorer was forward Alyssa Grant with 16 points in 23 minutes followed by guard Stephanie Kleysen with a double-double by registering 13 points and 12 rebounds in 34 minutes.
Lakehead had a game-high 21 points from guard Carolyn Fragale as she played 36 minutes and forward Lindsay Druery added a strong double-double with 17 points and 13 boards in 31 minutes.
The Thunderwolves shot 22-61 (36%) and only 4-18 (22%) from three-point land, while Winnipeg finished 24-67 (35%) shooting and 6-14 (42%) from the three-point arc with a 44-31 rebound advantage.
Coach Jon Kreiner said, “After a strong start (6-2) and a good defensive 1st quarter (10pts against) we struggled to hang on to the ball (29 turnovers). We were doing a great job attacking but make poor decisions passing and we did a poor job getting the ball inside in the first half. Carolyn did a great job defensively tonight (6 steals) and keep us in the game”
On Saturday, October 15, Lakehead will play Trinity Western at 5 p.m.
Tournament Notes: During this weekend tourney, the gate proceeds from the Saturday, October 15 games (Lakehead vs. Trinity Western and Winnipeg vs. Manitoba) goes towards breast cancer research and finding a cure. Plus, there will be special limited edition pink T-shirts sold at Investors Group Athletic Centre during the weekend for a suggested donation of $10 each. The team has also set-up a Facebook page: UofM WomenBasketball with more info.
Friday, Oct. 14
Winnipeg 70 Lakehead 59
8:00 Manitoba vs. Trinity Western
Saturday, Oct. 15
5:00 Lakehead vs. Trinity Western
7:00 Manitoba vs. Winnipeg
Sunday, Oct. 16
11:00 a.m. Winnipeg vs. Trinity Western
1:00 p.m. Manitoba vs. Lakehead
All times are Central