On Nov. 30, the women’s and men’s basketball team, 3-7 and 2-8 respectively, ended November on a sour note, with both teams dropping games to division rivals, the Laurier Golden Hawks, who are 9-1 in women’s play and 5-5 in men’s play.
On the women’s side of the ball, Katherine MacTavish and Erica McFadden led all scorers with 15 points and continued their ability to carry the Gryphons throughout this season. MacTavish also added 10 rebounds to complete the double-double on the night.
The first quarter of action was highlighted by defense and no rhythm offenses by either side. Laurier shot a paltry 17 per cent from the field, while Guelph shot only 19 per cent. Despite Laurier’s lower shooting percentage, the Golden Hawks still took a two-point lead into the second quarter.
The second quarter saw improved shooting form both sides but was still dominated defensively, and the game remained that way until the third quarter when offensive rhythm really took off for the Golden Hawks, who were able to build a nine point lead – a lead they never let Guelph get close to diminishing on their way to a 63-55 final.
Though Guelph stuck with Laurier throughout this affair, hindsight would dictate that when a team shoots 17 and 26 per cent through the first two quarters, the need to play above your opponent’s level is at its most paramount – something Guelph did not manage on their way to their third straight loss heading into the winter break.
In men’s hoops action, the Gryphons were narrowly defeated by the Golden Hawks by a final of 82-78 at the W.F. Mitchell Centre.
Collin Corrigan led Guelph scorers with 17 points and six rebounds, while Zach Angus provided fifteen points and another four rebounds for the lowly 2-8 Gryphons side.
Again, shooting plagued the Guelph team, as the men went just 25 per cent from the field in the first quarter, but still managed to keep on pace with the Golden Hawks – who were led by Will Coulthard’s 22 points and three rebounds – going into the second quarter down 16-15.
The next two frames were all Golden Hawks as solid shooting, coupled with very limited Guelph chances for points, meant that despite shooting 36 per cent and 54 per cent from the field, Guelph was still down 10, wit the score 62-52 heading into the final frame.
Guelph, on the back of two quick fourth quarter baskets, was able to whittle the lead down to as little as two in the fourth quarter, but again, Laurier’s ball control and ability to capitalize on key baskets down low gave them a 76-73 lead that they were able to sustain for the remainder of the game’s two minutes.
With those losses, the men’s and women’s teams remain at seventh of eight teams in the OUA West, and their chances for a playoff spot entering the season’s second half look slim. The season recommences on Jan. 8, when both the men and women host the Western Mustangs.