WEEKEND RECAP: Home sweet home for #4 Gee-Gees

The U SPORTS fourth-ranked Gee-Gees women's basketball team used some home cooking to rebound from a tough two weekends on the road, earning wins against York and Lakehead.

On Friday, the Gee-Gees battled with York earning a gutty 57-49 win, and followed it up on Saturday defeating Lakehead handily by a 76-46 final tally.

NOV. 22 VS. YORK 

Against York, the Gee-Gees battled back-and-forth with a talented Lions team, ultimately turning on the pressure in the second half to win the game by an eight-point final margin.

The Lions did not back down in the early goings of the game, holding a lead after the first quarter and a one-point 26-25 lead at halftime.

Both teams were firmly dug in on defence, not allowing either to maintain any rhythm on offence.

Ultimately, the Gee-Gees broke through in the second half to secure the win over one of the OUA's top teams.

The teams had nearly identical numbers throughout, but it was the turnover game that proved most beneficial to Ottawa, as they forced 23 turnovers, consistently disrupting their opponent though the second half.

Brooklynn McAlear-Fanus and Brigitte Lefebvre-Okankwu led the way for the Gee-Gees, scoing 11 points each. McAlear-Fanus added an outstanding 13 rebounds and 8 assists to seal the victory. Second-year guard Alana Renon had 10 points of of the bench, while fellow sophomore Melina De Iulio added nine points.

NOV. 23 VS. LAKEHEAD

Against Lakehead, the Gee-Gees pulled away and powered to a 30-point win against the struggling Thunderwolves.

Once again, the Gee-Gees were fuelled by their defence, forcing 22 turnovers and turning them into 25 points. Ottawa also made Lakehead pay at the free-throw line, shooting a perfect 12-12.

First-year guard Savannah Provo had a breakout game, scoring 19 points and adding six rebounds to set an early impressive career-high.

McAlear-Fanus had another outstanding night, scoring 22 points, and adding nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Renon rounded out Gee-Gees in double-figures with 15 points and six rebounds. 

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:

"We just found a player, Savannah was pretty exceptional for us. We've been looking for that person who's a slasher and she seemed to show that, so we're pretty happy." – Gee-Gees head coach Andy Sparks on the breakout of Savannah Provo. 

"You never know what the other team is going to throw at us, so I think we've done a great job adjusting. We've been going a few steps forward and a few steps back recently, so I think if we keep up this level of play it will be good for us." – Fifth-year point guard Brooklynn McAlear-Fanus on how the team is adjusting with different lineups and styles. 

UP NEXT:

The Gee-Gees will face a Nipissing and Laurentian next Friday and Saturday. The Laurentian game marks the always-important annual "Shoot for the Cure" matchup. 

Both games tip off at 6 p.m. at Montpetit Hall and tickets are available at tickets.geegees.ca.