A dominating performance

The Wilfrid Laurier University women’s basketball team held the Algoma Thunderbirds to just 28 points on Sunday, allowing the second fewest points during a game in team history.

“You got to give Algoma credit, they are short-manned right now and they kept playing right through but defence has been our forte this year for the most part we did a great job,” said head coach Paul Falco.

Powered by strong shooting from beyond the three-point arc and monstrous defence, the Hawks trampled over the Thunderbirds twice to sweep the weekend doubleheader, holding Algoma down to 32 points and 28 points respectively.

According to Falco, it was the Hawks number one goal this weekend to play tough defence, and that they were focused on trying to limit the opportunities of Algoma’s key shooters.

“We had really good team defence and our rebounding was good for most of the weekend. If you’re limiting the other team to one shot and not another second chance opportunity, it’s really going to help keep the point total down,” he said

The game on Saturday remained close until the Hawks’ three point shooters took control, shooting 8-15 throughout the game and contributing to 27 points in the third quarter to take the lead 60-23 before closing the game.

First-year guards Lauren Jamieson and Amanda Milanis and second-year guard Sarah Dillon all made crucial three point shots to extend the lead.

Captain Whitney Ellenor scored a game high 18 points, including seven rebounds to lead the team to victory.

“We’ve been struggling a little bit, so I think it was great to get our rhythm and our momentum back with our threes,” Ellenor said.

On Sunday, fourth-year guard Courtney Bruce shot four for five beyond the three-point arc as she scored a game high 26 points as the Hawks dominated Algoma 82-28, besting their previous record of fewest points that they made the previous day. Ellenor also added a double-double off her own, scoring 14 points and picking up 11 rebounds.

“It was great for her to break out like that,” Falco said of Bruce’s performance. “She had a pretty great preseason for us and then the last preseason game she got injured.”

“She didn’t play a regular season game until after Christmas so she’s starting to work off all the rust and get her touch a little bit. She’s been working extremely hard and it was nice to see the ball drop for her.”

Algoma only played seven players during the afternoon matinee and the Hawks were able to tire them out quickly after only playing the previous day.

Milanis, who has been filling in for an injured fifth-year guard Lee Anna Osei, spoke about what it means for her to come in and get her feet wet in competitive play.

“Coming up for [Osei], I had a lot of team support, they are always helping me in practice to get better and showing me what I need to do to fill her shoes,” Milanis said.

“Amanda’s had a rough first term because she’s been out all first term with injury, so she’s working her way back. This is sort of like a preseason for her, this is only her third or fourth game and she’s doing a great job. She’s really good at getting her offence started, she’s looking for a shot when it’s there and she’s playing tough defence,” Falco said.

The Hawks will continue their four game home-stand as they host the Laurentian Voyageurs and Nipissing Lakers on Feb. 13 and 14 respectively.