(1)Ryerson80
(8)Saskatchewan49Ryerson64
(4)Brock85Brock56Ryerson70
(5)Acadia74
—–RYERSON
(2)Saskatchewan55
(7)Queen’s62Queen’s78Winnipeg48
(3)Winnipeg81Winnipeg80
(6)Laval67

SEEDING

1. Ryerson Rams (OUA champions: 14-0 regular season / 3-0 playoffs / 21-0 v CIS)

2. Saskatchewan Huskies (Canada West champs: 14-2 regular season / 3-0 playoffs / 19-4 v CIS)

3. Winnipeg Wesmen (Canada West runner-up: 14-2 regular season / 3-1 playoffs / 23-3 v CIS)

4. Brock Badgers (OUA runner-up: 12-0 regular season / 2-1 playoffs / 16-3 v CIS)

5. Acadia Axewomen (AUS champs: 11-4 regular season / 3-0 playoffs / 18-5 v CIS)

6. Laval Rouge et Or (RSEQ champs: 7-5 regular season / 2-0 playoffs / 10-10 v CIS)

7. Queen’s Gaels (host and OUA quarterfinalist / 9-5 regular season / 1-1 playoffs / 14-7 v CIS)

8. U.P.E.I. Panthers (wild card – AUS semi-finalist / 11-2 regular season / 1-1 playoffs / 16-3 v CIS)

        In the quarterfinals, the top-seeded Ryerson Rams torched the 8th-seeded wildcard Prince Edward Island Panthers 80-49 after leading 21-16, 41-24 and 63-39 at the quarters. The Rams crisp ball movement and pressure defence proved too much for the Panthers to handle. Ram Rachel Farwell nailed seven treys, while point guard Mikaela Dodig dictated the tempo in the romp. Farwell said “we have so many threats on the floor and something is bound to open up and that was me today.” Dodig said “especially, as a point guard and facilitator for this team, we have so many people that can score and I just love giving them the ball so they can do just that,” she said after the game. Rams coach Carly Clarke said “I don’t expect to be 50 per cent [from the arc] the entire tournament, it helps when Rachel hits seven, but I thought we shot the right ones. Our offence moves the ball and shares it, and we found the right ones for multiple people tonight, and obviously Rachel’s performance was pretty special too.” Dodig was chosen player of the game for the Rams, while Lauren Rainford earned the laurels for the Panthers. Rachel Farwell paced the Rams with 25 on 8-15 from the floor, 7-11 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 5 boards and 4 steals. Mikaela Dodig added 13 on 5-11 from the floor, 3-6 from the arc, 3 boards and 5 assists. Stefanija Mrvaljevic notched 9 on 4-5 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 7 boards, 3 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals. Kyia Giles scored 8 on 3-9 from the floor, 2-5 from the arc, 3 assists and 3 steals. Kaillie Hall added 8 on 2-7 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 4-6 from the line and 2 assists. Eleanor Jones scored 6 on 2-8 from the floor, 2-3 from the line, 11 boards and 2 blocks. Jama Bin-Edward notched 4 on 1-2 from the floor, 2-2 from the line and 4 assists. Haley Fedick scored 3 on 1-1 from the arc. Nyamuoch Teny added 3 on 1-3 from the arc. Eve Uwayesu scored 1 on 0-4 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 5 boards and 3 assists, while Marin Scotten and Tiya Misir were scoreless. The Rams hit 27-67 (.403) from the floor, 15-30 from the arc and 11-15 (.733) from the line, while garnering 35 boards, including 8 on the offensive glass, 17 fouls, 21 assists, 14 turnovers, 6 blocks and 14 steals. Lauren Rainford paced the Panthers with 12 on 3-12 from the floor, 2-5 from the arc, 4-4 from the line and 7 boards. Alicia Bowering added 10 on 4-9 from the floor and 2-3 from the arc. Reese Baxendale notched 8 on 0-6 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 8-12 from the line, 5 boards and 2 steals. Sydney Cummins scored 7 on 1-2 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 5-6 from the line, 4 boards and 3 steals. Devon Lawlor added 7 on 2-8 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 2-2 from the line and 3 boards. Grace Lancaster scored 5 on 2-8 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 2 boards, while Carolina Del Santo, Sydney Whitlock, Madison Orser, Rielly Sullivan and Elise Plaschka were scoreless. Del Santo nabbed 8 boards and dished 3 assists. Whitlock nabbed 2 boards. The Panthers hit 12-48 (.250) from the floor, 5-18 (.278) from the arc and 20-26 (.769) from the line, while garnering 32 boards, including 4 on the offensive glass, 10 fouls, 8 assists, 23 turnovers and 8 steals. The Panthers (coach Matt Gamblin, assistant Harris Campbell) also included Jenna Mae Ellsworth, Lauren Harris and Julia Foster.

        The 4th-seeded Brock Badgers clipped the 5th-seeded Acadia Axewomen 85-74 after leading 22-17, 43-29 and 62-52 at the quarters. They led by as many as 20 before a late Acadia rally made the score respectable. Badger Ivana Twumasi said “honestly, we’re more than excited. I feel like all week we’ve been feeling like we want another chance to prove ourselves and showcase what we actually can do. It’s great we made it to the final four, but even better because we get another shot at Ryerson [who defeated Brock in the OUA finals). … The one thing on our mind all week has been wanting to play for each other. The fact we had multiple players in double digits shows we’re playing as a team and that’s the best way we as a team can be successful.” Badgers coach Mike Rao said “we spread the shooting around and moved the ball well, and I think the only time we got in trouble was when the ball stuck. What I’m happiest about is that we didn’t fold. We handled the pressure and did a good job with that. … We made some plays at the end. We went back to what we were doing. Our defence was pretty good. (Axewomen guard Jayda) Veinot, she’s a great player. She had two or three threes that brought them right back.” Veinot said “we were a little disappointed of course with that performance. We said all along it takes defence to win here and we didn’t play to the level we needed to be successful. Obviously, there is something to be said about coming back from a deficit so there’s encouragement in that.” The Badgers were playing without all-star Samantha Keltos, who’d inked a pro contract in Australia shortly before the start of the postseason playoffs. Madalyn Weinert was chosen player of the game for the Badgers, while Jayda Veinot earned the laurels for the Axewomen. Ivana Twumasi paced the Badgers with 20 on 8-15 from the from the floor, 3-4 from the arc, 1-1 from the line and 3 boards. Madalyn Weinert added 18 on 7-17 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 4-6 from the line, 15 boards and 2 blocks. Mackenzie Robinson notched 16 on 6-10 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 3-6 from the line, 5 boards and 5 assists. Victoria Lawrence scored 15 on 5-12 from the floor, 3-3 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 6 boards, 4 assists and 6 steals. Alison Addy added 7 on 2-3 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc, 2-2 from the line and 2 blocks. Jenneke Pilling scored 5 on 2-9 from the floor, 1-7 from the arc, 3 boards and 2 assists. Madison Macinnis added 2 on 1-5 from the floor, 0-1 from the line, 3 boards and 2 assists. Olivia Fiorucci scored 2 on 1-3 from the floor, while Kaley Demont, Ilijana Vukovic, Keren Tshinyama Kaso and Alicia Higgins were scoreless. The Badgers hit 32-76 (.421) from the floor, 9-21 (.429) from the arc and 12-18 from the line, while garnering 37 boards, including 15 on the offensive glass, 12 fouls, 14 assists, 14 turnovers, 5 blocks and 10 steals. Jayda Veinot paced the Axewomen with 23 on 8-17 from the floor, 5-7 from the arc, 2-4 from the line, 6 boards and 4 assists. Olivia Moller added 14 on 5-11 from the floor, 4-8 from the arc and 3 boards. Sandy Sanders notched 12 on 4-11 from the floor, 2-7 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 10 boards and 4 assists. Elizabeth Beals-Iseyemi scored 11 on 4-11 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 2-4 from the line, 6 boards and 4 assists. Sarah Delorey added 6 on 2-2 from the floor, 2-4 from the line and 6 boards. Sophie Atkinson scored 5 on 2-8 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 2 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals. Eva Widmeyer added 3 on 1-4 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 3 boards and 3 assists. Megan Herbert scored 1 on 0-1 from the floor and 1-2 from the line, while Amelie Bouchard, Ryan George and Tegan Reynolds were scoreless. The Axewomen hit 26-65 (.400) from the floor, 12-28 (.429) from the arc and 10-18 (.556) from the line, while garnering 39 boards, including 12 on the offensive glass, 14 fouls, 17 assists, 22 turnovers, 1 block and 7 steals. The Axewomen (coach Len Harvey) also included Hannah Fuller, Meghan MacLeod, Julia Sylvester, Morgan Herbert and Samantha Russell.

        The 3rd-seeded Winnipeg Wesmen dispatched the 6th-seeded Laval Rouge et Or 81-67 after leading 19-4 early and 35-12, 46-23 and 66—43 at the quarters. The Wesmen took total command in the first quarter and the Rouge et Or never drew closer than 11. Winnipeg led by as many as 30. Wesman post Kyanna Giles said the early explosion “gave us a boost to get going. Starting off well gave us the motivation to keep going. Having a good start is great for us.” Wesmen coach Tanya McKay said “I really believe that the first quarter was huge for us. We really set the tone and established who we were on the court and that allowed us to continue in the game. … [In the fourth quarter], we kinda took a step back and we didn’t play as aggressive and assertive as we did in the first quarter. But, I gotta give the kids credit: In the first quarter we came out and we just took it at them. I don’t want to be too mad at them, but at the same time we want to recognize we gotta play 40 minutes.” Rouge et Or coach Guillaume Giroux said “they missed almost nothing in the first quarter. It was a very physical team and we were flat, we lost our battles one on one. Our most physical players have found what they need. … Léa (Dominique) had to concede several pounds to the one who was chosen best player in Canada this year (Keylyn Filewich), she had a big contract having to defend her and did well. As for Sabrine (Khelifi), she was excellent. The mistakes she made tonight is because she has incredible willpower, she wants to do more. It’s like a horse when you open the gate. We will have to adjust and refine her game, but she will become quite a player for us.” Kyanna Giles was chosen player of the game for the Wesmen, while Lea Dominique earned the laurels for the Rouge et Or. Kyanna Giles paced the Wesmen with 22 on 8-14 from the floor, 3-5 from the arc, 3-5 from the line, 5 boards and 3 assists. Faith Hezekiah added 15 on 7-12 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc and 6 boards. Keylyn Filewich notched 11 on 5-13 from the floor, 1-2 from the line, 11 boards and 2 assists. Anna Kernaghan scored 10 on 5-11 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 5 boards and 3 assists. Jillian Duncan added 8 on 3-4 from the floor, 2-4 from the line and 5 boards. Jessica Van Dyck scored 7 on 0-6 from the floor, 0-4 from the arc and 7-8 from the line. Robyn Boulanger added 3 on 1-4 from the arc. Mik Funk scored 3 on 1-4 from the floor and 1-1 from the line. Deborah Nkiasi added 2 on 1-2 fro mthe floor and 0-1 from the arc, while Maltha Uwambajimana, Kyana Wonnacott and Alyssa Porco were scoreless. Uwanbajimana nabbed 2 boards. The Wesmen hit 31-71 (.437) from the floor, 6-20 (.300) from the arc and 13-19 (.684) from the line, while garnering 38 boards, including 12 on the offensive glass, 13 fouls, 10 assists, 7 turnovers and 5 blocks. Sabrine Khelifi paced the Rouge et Or with 18 on 6-11 from the floor, 2-2 from the arc, 4-5 from the line, 7 boards and 4 assists. Lea Dominique added 12 on 5-10 from the floor, 2-2 from the line and 8 boards. Elodie Lajoie notched 10 on 3-8 from the floor, 2-7 from the arc and 2-2 from the line. Leslie Makosso scored 9 on 3-5 from the floor, 2-2 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 3 assists. Marie-Pier Champagne added 7 on 3-6 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc and 5 boards. Frederique Beaudry-Blais scored 6 on 2-5 from the floor and 2-3 from the arc. Kim Letang added 3 on 1-11 from the floor, 1-9 from the arc and 2 boards. Rachel Clouatre-Trudeau scored 2 on 1-4 from the floor and 0-2 from the arc, while Frederique Boucher and Josiane Prince were scoreless. The Rouge et Or hit 24-61 (.393) from the floor, 10-29 (.345) from the arc and 9-11 (.818) from the line, while garnering 31 boards, including 8 on the offensive glass, 18 fouls, 9 assists, 13 turnovers, 2 blocks and 2 steals. The Rouge et Or (coach Guillaume Giroux, assistant Francois Patenaude, assistant Hugo Boisvert, assistant Frederic Maucoronel, assistant Claudia Emond, therapist Laurie Coulombe, therapist Patricia Lanthier) also included Audrey Beland, Mary-Tracy Cilien, Tara Imbert, Elise Roy and Lea-Sophie Verret.

        In the last quarterfinal, the 7th-seeded host Queen’s Gaels stunned the 2nd-seeded Saskatchewan Huskies 62-55. The Huskies opened with a 7-0 run and led 14-9 after one quarter. But the Gaels dominated the second quarter and led 36-25 at the half and 45-44 after three quarters. Gaels guard Emma Weltz said “it’s unbelievable,” Weltz said. “To win that game, on our home court, it’s a surreal feeling. Not at one point during that game did we lose our composure at all. We just stayed together throughout the whole game and I think we all knew that was our win.” Gaels coach Claire Meadows said her troops maintained their poise. “We had belief all along and they made a pretty good push there to take the lead but we showed a lot of maturity and composure and finished a hard fought game.” Emma Weltz was chosen player of the game for Gaels, while Carly Ahlstrom earned the laurels for the Huskies. Julia Chadwick paced the Gaels with 18 on 6-10 from the floor, 4-6 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 5 boards and 2 steals. Emma Weltz added 16 on 5-9 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 6-6 from the line, 2 boards and 4 assists. Laura Donovan notched 10 on 3-9 from the floor, 3-8 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 2 boards. Sophie De Goede scored 4 on 2-6 from the floor, 12 boards and 2 steals. Emma Ritcey added 3 on 1-11 from the floor, 1-8 from the arc, 2 boards and 2 assists. Michelle Istead scored 2 on 2-2 from the line and 2 boards. Isabella Belvedere added 2 on 1-3 from the floor and 0-2 from the arc, while Mikayla McFarlane and Bridget Mulholland were scoreless. The Gaels hit 18-49 (.367) from the floor, 8-27 (.296) from the arc and 11-12 (.917) from the line, while garnering 27 boards, including 8 on the offensive glass, 14 fouls, 8 assists, 17 turnovers and 6 steals. Carly Ahlstrom paced the Huskies with 29 on 12-19 from the floor, 4-7 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 8 boards and 3 steals. Summer Masikewich added 12 on 3-9 from the floor, 6-8 from the line and 7 boards. Libby Epoch notched 5 on 1-7 from the floor, 1-6 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 4 boards and 4 assists. Gage Grassick scored 4 on 2-5 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc and 2 boards. Andrea Dodig added 2 on 1-5 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 0-2 form the line and 7 boards, while Katriana Philipenko, Tea DeMong, Claudia Lomba Viana and Janaya Brown were scoreless. Demong nabbed 2 boards. The Huskies hit 19-52 (.365) from the floor, 5-20 (.250) from the arc and 9-16 (.563) from the line, while garnering 30 boards, including 14 on the offensive glass, 14 fouls, 6 assists, 17 turnovers and 6 steals. The Huskies (coach Lisa Thomaidis, assistant Laura Dally, assistant Ali Fairbrother, assistant Jacqueline Lavallee, video Tiegen Derksen, video Connor Jay, student trainer Claire McKenzie, student trainer Tagen Sevigny) also included Anna Maelde, Amina Kameric, Lucia Zilinska, Ella Murphy Wiebe, Erin Kehrig, Janaya Brown, Courtney Primeau and Oluwatito Akinnusi.

        In the semis, top-seeded Ryerson Rams defeated the 4th-seeded Brock Badgers 64-56 in overtime in a virtual reprise of the OUA final a week earlier. The Badgers led 15-12 after one quarter and 28-25 at the half. The Rams led 44-39 after three quarters as their perimeter defence continued to lock-down Brock. The score was knotted at 54 after regulation. Jama Bin-Edwards dominated the extra session, nailing a trey, a mid-range jumper and driving for a layup as the Rams outscored Brock 10-2. “She can do it all,” said Rams coach Carly Clarke. Bin-Edward said the difference was “that our defence ramped up so we were able to limit a lot of their scoring attempts. We knew that Brock is a good team and we were going to go back and forth and they were obviously able to go on a run in the end of the fourth. We just recollected in overtime and we got stops. We pride ourselves on our defence and I think that we did a good job stopping the ball in overtime and creating our own shots. … Obviously we saw them just a week ago and there were times where we were closing out and we were a little bit flat and we let them get comfortable so I thought our length and our active hands disrupted them a little bit more.” Clarke said that before the overtime, “we just talked about being there before. We’ve been in so many moments like this this season. We’ve played in how many one or two point games this season? So I think we’re just seasoned and able to keep our composure.” Badger Victoria Lawrence said “we all played really hard the first two quarters. It was just our defence lacked a little bit and we weren’t really rebounding as much as we could. But eventually the fourth quarter we really wanted it, so we were going really hard rebounding. But it was just those last-minute shots just got us. … It’s one of those games where you don’t really know how to feel. We all feel like it was a good game and it was close. We kept going and we put in the work.” Jama Bin-Edward was chosen player of the game for the Rams, while Victoria Lawrence earned the laurels for the Badgers. Jama Bin-Edward paced the Rams with 17 on 6-17 from the floor, 1-8 from the arc, 4-6 from the line, 7 boards and 8 assists. Mikaela Dodig added 14 on 5-15 from the floor, 4-10 from the arc, 7 boards and 4 assists. Kyia Giles notched 12 on 4-8 from the floor and 4-6 from the arc. Nyamuoch Teny scored 6 on 2-10 from the floor, 2-6 from the arc and 2 boards. Stefanija Mrvaljevic added 5 on 2-6 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 1-3 from the line, 2 blocks and 2 steals. Rachel Farwell scored 4 on 1-5 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 2-2 from the line and 4 boards. Eleanor Jones added 4 on 2-6 from the floor and 4 boards. Eve Uwayesu scored 2 on 1-5 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc and 6 boards, while Marin Scotten (ACL tear), Haley Fedick, Jayme Foreman, Kaillie Hall and Tiya Misir were scoreless. The Rams hit 23-75 (.307) from the floor, 11-38 (.289) from the arc and 7-11 (.636) from the line, while garnering 37 boards, including 13 on the offensive glass, 13 fouls, 16 assists, 18 turnovers, 4 blocks and 9 steals. Madalyn Weinert paced the Badgers with 14 on 6-14 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 2-3 from the line, 11 boards and 5 blocks. Victoria Lawrence added 14 on 6-14 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 5 boards and 2 steals. Jenneke Pilling notched 6 on 1-13 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc, 0-2 from the line, 6 boards and 3 assists. Madison Macinnis scored 6 on 2-3 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 6 boards. Kaley Demont added 5 on 1-3 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 3-4 from the line and 5 boards. Alison Addy notched 4 on 2-2 from the floor and 3 boards. Mackenzie Robinson scored 3 on 1-13 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc, 0-2 from the line, 6 boards and 3 assists. Ivana Twumasi added 2 on 1-3 from the floor and 3 boards. Keren Tshinyama Kasonga scored 2  on 1-2 from the floor and 3 boards, while Ilijana Vukovic, Olivia Fiorucci and Audrey Ntetani Umba were scoreless. The Badgers hit 22-59 (.373) from the floor, 5-16 (.313) from the arc and 7-13 (.538) from the line, while garnering 41 boards, including 9 on the offensive glass, 14 fouls, 6 assists, 24 turnovers, 6 blocks and 6 steals.

In the other semi, the 3rd-seeded Winnipeg Wesmen edged the 7th-seeded Queen’s Gaels 80-78. The Gaels led 21-18 after one quarter. The Wesmen led 44-39 at the half and 67-61 after three quarters. Robyn Boulanger drilled a trey to make it 70-61 but the Gaels answered with an 11-2 fun to knot the score at 72. The Gaels took a 78-77 lead on a pair of Laura Donovan free throws with 1:37 to play but Faith Hezekiah answered with a pair from the line to give the Wesmen a 79-78 lead with 1:20 to play. Winnipeg held on for the win as Queen’s missed several opportunities to score down the stretch, including a corner trey by Bridget Mulholland with seven seconds on the clock. Hezekiah said “I practice those shots every day. … I’m a veteran on this team and in those situations, we have to rise up and be there for our teammates. I definitely take pride in that, and I knew that we were going to have to take some tough shots and that’s what happened.” Kyanna Giles said “I thought we were going to pull away, but they made big shots, they attacked the basket and they kept in it, so kudos to them, but we fought back.” Gael Emma Ritcey said “we came in to this believing we could win and that didn’t stop the whole game, even though we were down most of the game. We fought back and were right there, unfortunately it just didn’t go our way.” Gaels coach Claire Meadows sadi “we just fell short to a great team.” Faith Hezekiah was chosen player of the game for the Wesmen, while Emma Ritcey earned the laurels for the Gaels. Faith Hezekiah paced the Wesmen with 26 on 9-18 from the floor, 5-9 from the arc, 3-4 from the line and 10 baords. Keylyn Filewich added 22 on 10-14 from the floor, 2-9 from the arc, 9 boards and 2 assists. Robyn Boulanger notched 13 on 5-10 from the floor, 3-8 from the arc and 2 boards. Kyanna Giles scored 13 on 4-7 from the floor, 2-2 from the arc, 3-4 from the line, 7 boards and 4 assists. Anna Kernaghan added 4 on 2-9 from the floor, 0-5 from the arc, 0-2 from the line, 5 boards and 2 assists. Jessica Van Dyck scored 2 on 1-4 from the floor and 0-2 from the arc, while Maltha Uwambajimana, Kyana Wonnacott, Mik Funk, Jillian Duncan, Alyssa Porco and Deborah Nkiasi were scoreless. The Wesmen hit 31-63 (.492) from the floor, 10-26 (.385) from the arc and 8-19 (.421) from the line, while garnering 34 boards, including 10 on the offensive glass, 19 fouls, 10 assists, 14 turnovers, 1 block and 2 steals. Laura Donovan paced the Gaels with 20 on 6-12 from the floor, 4-7 from the arc, 4-4 from the line and 3 boards. Emma Ritcey added 19 on 7-14 from the floor, 5-9 from the arc, 4 boards and 2 steals. Sophie De Goede notched 14 on 3-12 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 2-3 from the line and 11 boards. Emma Weltz scored 9 on 4-8 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 7 assists and 2 steals. Julia Chadwick added 8 on 3-10 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 2-3 from the line and 11 boards. Bridget Mulholland scored 5 on 1-2 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc and 3-4 from the line. Isabella Belvedere added 3 on 1-5 from the floor and 1-3 from the arc, while Lireesa Gokhool-Jeff, Michelle Istead, Mikayla McFarlane, Willo Thomas and Abbey Hetherington were scoreless. The Gaels hit 25-63 (.397) from the floor, 11-25 (.440) from the arc and 17-19 (.895) from the line, while garnering 33 boards, including 9 on the offensive glass, 18 fouls, 12 assists, 9 turnovers, 1 block and 9 steals.

        In the bronze medal match, the 7th-seeded Queen’s Gaels dusted the top-seeded Brock Badgers 75-57 after leadin 26-12, 35-30 and 54-45 at the quarters. Gaels player of the game Isabella Belvedere said the bronze was an indicator that “we have a special program. We’ve definitely been doubted a bit in the past so I think it means proving ourselves and proving to myself that I’m able to compete with the best of the best.” Gaels coach Claire Meadows said “we played our best three games of the season back-to-back-to-back. And to do it on our home court, makes it even sweeter. I’m pretty proud of the crew.” Badgers coach Mike Rao said his troops were undone by foul trouble. “The game was disappointing, but our kids played with a lot of effort. There was nothing we could have done differently. … This team recognizes the fact that not a lot of people thought we could get here, so in that respect, it was very fulfilling. If you would have told me a month ago we would finish fourth, I would have said ‘that’s a great accomplishment’.” Ivana Twumasi was chosen player of the game for The Badgers. Isabella Belvedere paced the Gaels with 22 on 8-15 from the floor and 6-12 from the arc. Julia Chadwick added 16 on 3-11 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc, 9-11 from the line, 13 boards and 3 assists. Emma Weltz notched 10 on 2-8 from the floor, 1-5 from the arc, 5-6 from the line, 5 boards and 5 assists. Laura Donovan scored 9 on 3-12 from the floor, 1-8 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 4 boards and 2 assists. Sophie De Goede added 7 on 3-6 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 9 boards and 2 assists. Emma Ritcey scored 6 on 2-4 from the arc, 4 boards and 3 assists. Michelle Istead added 4 on 1-2 from the floor and 2-2 from the line. Mikayla McFarlance scored 1 on 1-2 from the line, while Lireesa Gokhool-Jeff, Willo Thomas, Abbey Hetherinton and Bridget Mulholland were scoreless. The Gaels hit 22-59 (.373) from the floor, 11-35 (.314) from the floor and 20-25 (.800) from the line, while garnering 37 boards, including 10 on the offensive glass, 15 fouls, 17 assists, 12 turnovers and 5 steals. Ivana Twumasi paced the Badgers with 14 on 6-11 from the floor, 1-5 from the arc, 1-1 from the line and 2 assists. Victoria Lawrence added 13 on 3-9 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 7-10 from the line, 5 boards and 2 steals. Jenneke Pilling notched 6 on 2-10 from the floor and 2-8 from the arc. Madalyn Weinert scored 6 on 3-8 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 4 boards and 4 blocks. Audrey Ntetani Umba added 5 on 1-3 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 2-2 from the line and 3 boards. Ilijana Vukovic scored 4 on 1-4 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc and 1-2 from the line, Keren Tshinyama Kasonga added 4 on 1-2 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc and 1-2 from the line. Mackenzie Robinson scored 3 on 1-8 from the floor, 1-5 from the arc and 10 boards. Kaley Demont added 2 on 1-5 from the floor, 0-4 from the arc and 2 boards, while Olivia Fiorucci, Allison Addy and Madison Macinnis were scoreless. Addy nabbed 3 boards and Macinnis 2, while dishing 2 assists. The Badgers hit 19-63 (.302) from the floor, 7-30 (.233) from the arc and 12-17 (.706) from the line, while garnering 31 boards, including 8 on the offensive glass, 21 fouls, 8 assists, 18 turnovers, 5 blocks and 4 steals. The Badgers (coach Mike Rao, assistant Rick LoStracco, assistant Allison Columbus, assistant Frank Capretta, assistant Matthew Tang, therapist Karen Millar, sport performance Taylor Tiessen, student therapist Alexis Milani, student therapist Alyssa Fon, student performance Caitlynn Lefler, student performance Steven Commerford, student performance Hana Parkin, student performance Lily Freiberger, manager Theresa Brown, manager James Edkins, manager Colm Heath, manager Jacob Smith, manager Campbell MacInnis) also included Samantha Keltos, who signed a pro contract in Australia shortly before the playoffs and did not suit up at nationals, Meagan Charbonneau, Kennedy Chisholm, Alicia Higgins, Nicole Venhuizen and Muskaan Waraich.

        In the final, the top-seeded Ryerson Rams mauled the 3rd-seeded Winnipeg Wesmen 70-48 to cap an undefeated 24-0 season and capture the school’s first national hoops title. The Rams led 20-10, 34-26 and 56-40 at the quarters and were never seriously threatened. Ram forward and tournament MVP Jama Bin-Edward said “I just pictured throughout my entire year, all my five years here, this is the moment that I wanted,” the senior forward said. It just came to the perfect ending of my career and I couldn’t be any happier.” Rams coach Carly Clarke said it was a moment of “pure joy, for sure. Obviously we’ve been working at this as a program for a while but this group of players, in particular, has been really special. They’ve been through a lot, so it means a lot for them to get this moment. … Our defence today was incredible and it fed our offence. … We kept our composure. … We were so dialled in. Our team was so focused. We executed the game plan and they had to work for everything.” Rachel Farwell was chosen player of the game for the Rams, while Kyanna Giles earned the laurels for the Wesmen. During the contest, Giles toiled against sister Kyia. The pair had played for Regina between 2017-19 but then transferred to Ryerson and Winnipeg, respectively. Rachel Farwell paced the Rams with 17 on 7-14 from the floor, 3-10 from the arc, 5 boards, 2 assists and 3 steals. Mikaela Dodig added 13 on 5-11 from the floor, 3-6 from the arc, 2 boards and 7 assists. Jama Bin-Edward notched 12 on 5-9 from the floor, 2-5 from the arc, 2 boards, 2 blocks and 2 steals. Eve Uwayesu scored 12 on 4-6 from the floor, 4-5 from the arc and 2 assists. Kaillie Hall added 7 on 2-4 from the floor, 3-4 from the line and 2 boards. Kyia Giles scored 6 on 2-9 from the floor, 2-6 from the arc and 2 assists. Stefanija Mrvaljevic added 2 on 1-2 from the floor, 8 boards and 3 assists. Eleanor Jones scored 1 on 0-7 from the floor, 1-2 from the line and 12 boards, while Marin Scotten (who tore her ACL shortly before the playoffs), Haley Fedick, Myamuouch Teny and Tiya Misir were scoreless. The Rams hit 26-65 (.400) from the floor, 14-33 (.424) from the arc and 4-6 from the line, while garnering 35 boards, including 11 on the offensive glass, 18 fouls, 19 assists, 13 turnovers, 4 blocks and 7 steals. Kyanna Giles paced the Wesmen with 13 on 5-15 from the floor, 1-7 from the arc, 2-3 from the line and 3 boards. Faith Hezekiah added 13 on 4-12 from the floor, 0-5 from the arc, 5-6 from the line and 8 boards. Keylyn Filewich notched 10 on 3-9 from the floor, 4-6 from the line, 6 boards, 2 assists and 3 steals. Jillian Duncan scored 6 on 3-4 from the floor. Anna Kernaghan added 4 on 2-6 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 4 boards and 2 steals. Deborah Nkiasi scored 2 on 1-3 from the floor, 3 boards and 2 steals, while Robyn Boulanger, Maltha Uwambajimana, Kyana Wonnacott, Mik Funk, Jessica Van Dyck and Alyssa Porco were scoreless. Uwanbajimana and Porco each nabbed 4 boards. The Wesmen hit 18-61 (.295) from the floor, 1-20 (.050) from the arc and 11-15 (.733) from the line, while garnering 32 boards, including 10 on the offensive glass, 8 fouls, 5 assists, 15 turnovers, 3 blocks and 8 steals.

        The all-tournament team featured MVP Jama Bin-Edward (Ryerson); Emma Ritcey (Queen’s); Faith Hezekiah (Winnipeg); Keylyn Filewich (Winnipeg); and Mikaela Dodig (Ryerson).

        The bronze medalist Queen’s Gaels: Megan Saftich; Emma Ritcey; Lireesa Gokhool-Jefferson; Emma Weltz; Michelle Istead; Cassiel Penalosa; Laura Donovan; Isabella Belvedere; Isabella Gaudet; Mikayla McFarlane; Willo Thomas; Sophie de Goede; Julia Chadwick; Abbey Hetherington; Bridget Mulholland; Rachel Neumann; coach Claire Meadows

        The silver medalist Winnipeg Wesmen: Kyanna Giles; Anna Kernaghan; Kyana Wonnacott; Robyn Boulanger; Mikayla Funk; Faith Hezekiah; Jessica van Dyck; Jillian Duncan; Srishti Suren; Deborah Nkiasi; Kwylyn Filewich; Mahalia Long; Katrina Rogan; Maltha Uwambajimana; redshirt Abby Benson; redshirt Priscilla Sanusi; coach Tanya McKay; assistant Tami Pennell; assistant Richard Gooch; assistant Alyssa Cox; assistant Evan Cox; therapist Jeff Billeck; strength & conditioning Nigel Moore

        The gold medalist Ryerson Rams: Jama Bin-Edward; Marin Scotten; Kyia Giles; Haley Fedick; Rachel Farwell; Nyamuoch Teny; Jayme Foreman; Eleanor Jones; Stefanijz Mrvaljevic; Sarai Bailey; Kaillie Hall; Chelsea Arruda; Mikaela Dodig; Lauryn Meek; Tiya Misir; Jamilah Christian; Eve Uwayesu; coach Carly Clarke; assistant Shae Dheensaw; assistant Sherwyn Benn; assistant Vadim Levin; assistant Keena Benarroch; assistant Jason Sealy; apprentice Ben White; mental performance Iman Hassan; student therapist Kia Halsall; student manager Urav Naik