The Ottawa Gee-Gees have not won a medal at nationals since 2012, which was a bronze. The Huskies entered the bronze medal game with hopes of winning a fourth medal at nationals. Huskies had a record of 1-4 in bronze medal games. The game was filled with a lot of excitement on both sides and was an nail-bitter in the end. Ottawa Gee-Gees pulled out the 63-62 win.
The Huskies from the start of the game were in control of the game. Third- year forward, Summer Masikewich had six points and two rebounds after the first quarter. The Huskies after the first quarter led 19- 12.
Huskies continue with the momentum in the second- quarter and at one point led 32-16. The Huskies at half-time were up big,27-41. On offense, second- year forward, Kyla Shand & Masikewich led the way with ten points a piece.
The third quarter saw the Gee- Gees coming out strong and at one point scored thirteen unanswered points which was highlighted by a three- pointer by third-year year guard, Amelie Hachey. The three- pointer cut the Huskies lead to 44-38. The Gee-Gees took their first lead of the game with 38 seconds on a basket by fourth- year forward Anne Carr.
Saskatchewan Huskies head coach, Lisa Thomaidis on the third quarter.
“I thought the first half, we showcase more of what this team is capable of. The third quarter killed us, 2 for 19, we had a lot of looks at rim, a lot of opportunities but none of them went down and that was the difference. We played thirty of forty minutes and that was not good enough tonight,”.
The Ottawa Gee- Gees head coach, Andy Sparks on his team’s performance after halftime.
“The girls were a little down at halftime but the game of basketball is 40 minutes long and 14 points is far from being instrumental lead. Im very happy that they pushed back,” said Sparks .
Things got very interesting in fourth quarter as the Huskies found away to comeback and kept it close. Fourth- year guard, Sabine Dukate knocked down a much-needed three pointer with 2:29 left in the game to make it 63-62. The Huskies with a few ticks left on the clock, pass the ball to Masikewich who had a shot to win but it touched the rim.
“ I know that she is not a shooter, (Summer) and it was a contest shot so I’m just going to box out and get the rebound and that what happened. I didn’t even know that the clock was out,” said second- year forward, Brigitte Lefebvre-Okankwu.
Ottawa Gee-Gees guard, Sarah Besselink had 13 points and six rebounds in win. Saskatchewan Huskies forward, Summer Masikewich had a double- double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
The Gee-Gees have a few players graduating from the team this season.
“ I think this year we had a special team and to come out with a win at the end of my career means the world to me,” said fifth- year guard Besselink.
“ There are two teams that will probably walk away happy at this tournament, the winners of the bronze game and the winners of the gold game. These ladies had fantastic careers, they’ve won 130 games in their last five years, they had a lot of success but not a medal at nationals so to see them go out with that it’s pretty special,” Sparks said.
