THUNDER BAY – Sports – The Thunderwolves women’s basketball team had a tough night at the office on Friday, losing to the CIS #1 Windsor Lancers 97-62. “Windsor showed why they are the number one team in the country tonight,” stated Coach Jon Kreiner. 

“Sixty first half points was a statement but when you give up eleven layups for twenty-two points off transition there’s little else you can expect. Once we figured out a few things in transition and got more comfortable against Windsor’s play I thought we competed and got better,” continued Coach Kreiener.

Thunderwolves – slow start 

“We need to play like we did in the second half to have a chance tomorrow. We need to believe we can compete. I thought Ayse came out of the gate and competed well. Katie ran our squad well but our bigs need to give us some second chance points to slow down Windsor’s transition,” continued Coach Kreiner.

Before the tip-off, the Thunderwolves would make sure that they would win one battle on the evening.

In the warm-up, the Windsor Lancers’ women’s team ritually goes to center court to have a rally and cheer on top of the home team’s logo prior to tip off.

Coach Jon Kreiner’s team, along with Wolfie, made a statement before the ball went up, encircling the Thunderwolf logo at center court, thus blocking the Lancers from their usual pre-game tradition. The Lancers sidled up beside the Thunderwolves who stood tall, and were denied their usual, and somewhat flippant pre-game ritual. 

As soon as the ball went up, however, it was all Lancers. They shot out of the gate, scoring 34 points in the first quarter, and taking a commanding lead into halftime, 60-27.

Lakehead put together a better defensive quarter in the third, giving up 19 while scoring 18. The LAncers also held a 1-point advantage in the final quarter, 18-17. 

Top Lakehead scorer was Ayse Kalkan with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Caroline Fragale, who played in her 2nd last game in the Thunderdome, scored 11 points.

For the Lancers 5 players scored in double digits, led by Miah-Marie Langlois with 19 points and 10 assists and Jessica Clemencon with 18 points and 8 rebounds.

The two teams will rematch tomorrow (Seniors Night) at 6PM, in what will be Carolyn Fragale’s final regular season home game.