THUNDER BAY – The Lakehead University women’s basketball team lost 63-52 to Ottawa on Friday evening. Although Lakehead played some inspired basketball well into the fourth quarter to come within one point (52-51), they could not overcome a very tall and talented Gee Gee team. They didn’t do themselves any favors from the free throw line either, going 11 of 23 (48%).
Ottawa’s team boasts 4 post players over 6′, and 2 guards 5’10. Lakehead countered this height differential with speed and defense, and yet another great game from Ayse Kalkan, who is beginning to become the identity of this Thunderwolf pack. Hard working, fast and with good court vision, Kalkan came up with big plays repeatedly to boost the LU cause and excite fans. Ayse finished with 13 points, 5 assists and 2 steals.
Lindsay Druery had her usual ‘double-double’ night at the office, scoring 11 and pulling down 10 rebounds, while Lacey McNulty scored 11.
In what was a turnover-filled game, LU committed 29 and Ottawa 27. Ottawa’s all-star, Hannah Sunley-Paisley, scored 21 to go with 13 rebounds (10 offensive) and had 6 steals. Jenna Gilbert was second leading scorer with 13 (in 36 minutes of play), and guard Kelly Ring chipped in 10.
“This was a game we gave away” said coach Jon Kreiner post-game. “Missing 12 free throws and giving up 10 offensive rebounds to one player [Sunley-Paisley] in a close game isn’t going to get you the win. On the plus side, I think we did a great job defensively. Hanna scored all 21 of her points off her own offensive rebounds and we did a good job on Gilbert, Ring and [Bess] Lennox. We really struggled in the last four minutes of the game. Our defense held Ottawa scoreless the first six minutes and with the score 52-51 for Ottawa we missed six free throws, gave up a fast break lay-up and couldn’t rebound the basketball. Ayse continues to be great for us this year and we will need to have our bigs rebound and get ready for a tough battle tomorrow.”
The women will play CIS #4 Carleton tomorrow at 6 pm
Game coverage will be webcast on SSN Canada, and broadcast on CILU, 102.7 FM.