(FRENCH VERSION SUIT)
MONTREAL — McGill closed out its regular season with a 67-41 victory over visiting UQAM on a Seniors Night send-off, Thursday, at Love Competition Hall, moving into a precarious second-place position in the RSEQ women’s basketball standings.
The Martlets improved to 11-5 in conference play and can finish no lower than third, but their semifinal site will depend on Saturday’s result between Bishop’s (10-5) and division-leading Laval (12-3). A Bishop’s upset would give the Gaiters second place and home-court advantage by virtue of a six-point head-to-head point differential. If Laval completes the season sweep, McGill will host Bishop’s in the semifinal.
McGill led 15-10 after the first quarter and 28-21 at halftime before extending the margin to 43-34 through three quarters. The Martlets broke the game open with a dominant 24-7 fourth period.
“Looking at the first three quarters, we won by five, by two and by two,” said head coach Rikki Bowleswho knew that the result was likely a foregone conclusion against the winless Citadins but a win was still necessary for a shot at second place. “Inasmuch as the score ended up the way it did, we knew we still had to play.”
Despite shooting just 30.7 per cent from the field (23-for-75), McGill controlled the boards with a 52-45 rebounding advantage and committed only nine turnovers compared to 21 for UQAM. The Martlets turned those miscues into 19 points and added 13 second-chance points. The Citadins shot 24.1 per cent (14-for-58).
McGill also went 16-of-19 from the free-throw line, while the visitors were perfect on 11 attempts. The Martlets’ bench contributed 28 points compared to just two for UQAM.
Lily-Rose Chatila led all scorers with 20 points, including 14 after halftime. She shot 6-for-15 from the floor, including 2-for-7 from long distance, and went a perfect 6-for-6 from the line. Chatilah added four reounds, three steals and a pair of assists.
“I think she does a good job when she’s going to the basket under control,” Bowles said. “She can shoot the three, she shoots really well from the free-throw line, so she does a bit of everything. I thought she did a good job getting into the paint and finding open teammates.”
Erica Simeone added 15 points and Emma-Jane Scotten chipped in 10, while Aicha Hassan-Omar provided a spark in the fourth quarter with six points in eight minutes of duty.
The Martlets improved their lifetime record against UQAM to 60-35 in 95 meetings overall since they first tipped off in 1972.
The game carried added emotion as McGill honoured three seniors — Emma-Jane Scotten of Ottawa, Kristy Awikehwho hails from Aleppo, in Syria, and Katie Rathwell of Regina — in a post-game ceremony at mid-court. In 75 regular season games, Scotten, who is completing a master’s in educational leadership, has scored 622 with 83 treys and 320 rebounds. Awikeh, a master’s student in physical therapy, played in one more game and tallied 279 points with 295 boards. Rathwell, a fifth-year psychology major, has suited up in 62 games and registered 244 points with 162 rebounds.
“A special group,” Bowles said. “They’ve really been pillars for us as we’ve gotten better and tried to build something. We’ll miss them on the court, but even more off the court and what they bring to that locker room.”
Now the Martlets wait.
“We did our job,” Bowles said. “We know our matchup. We just don’t know where.”
A semifinal win next Wednesday (Feb. 25), whether it be at home or in Lennoxville, would earn a berth at the national Final Eight championship tournament hosted by Laval in Quebec City.
BOXSCORE
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The Martlets highlight their graduates and dominate UQAM
Their fate in second place will depend on the Bishop’s–Laval duel
MONTREAL — McGill concluded its regular season with a convincing 67-41 victory over UQAM on Thursday night at Love Competition Hall, during the graduate evening, and now occupies a fragile second place in the RSEQ women’s basketball rankings.
The Martlets (11-5) cannot finish lower than third, but home field advantage in the semifinals will depend on Saturday’s result between Bishop’s (10-5) and leader Laval (12-3). A victory for the Gaiters would give them second place and home advantage thanks to a six-point differential in head-to-head matches. If the Rouge et Or complete the sweep, McGill will host Bishop’s in the semi-final.
McGill led 15-10 after the first quarter and 28-21 at halftime, before extending the lead to 43-34 after three periods. The Martlets definitely widened the gap thanks to a dominant fourth quarter of 24-7.
“When we look at the first three quarters, we won them by five, by two and by two,” indicated the head coach Rikki Bowles. “Even if the final gap is significant, we knew that we still had to play our match. »
Despite a shooting efficiency rate of 30.7% (23-for-75), McGill dominated in rebounds 52-45 and committed only nine turnovers compared to 21 for the Citadins. The Martlets turned those turnovers into 19 points and added 13 second chance points. UQAM posted a percentage of 24.1% (14-for-58).
McGill also made 16 of her 19 free throws, while the visitors were perfect on 11 attempts. The Martlets bench produced 28 points, compared to only two for UQAM.
Lily-Rose Chatila led all scorers with 20 points, including 14 in the second half. She added four rebounds, three steals and two assists.
“She attacks the basket with control,” Bowles said. “She can shoot from afar and she is very efficient at free throws. She does a little bit of everything and she also found her teammates well in the paint. »
Erica Simeone scored 15 points and Emma-Jane Scotten added 10, whileAicha Hassan-Omar brought a spark to the fourth quarter with six points in eight minutes.
The Martlets increased their historic record against UQAM to 60-35 in 95 matches since 1972.
The game took on special significance as McGill honored three graduates at center field after the match: Emma-Jane Scotten (Ottawa), Kristy Awikeh (Aleppo, Syria) and Katie Rathwell (Regina). In 75 regular season games, Scotten, who is completing a master’s degree in educational leadership, scored 622 points, including 83 three-pointers, and grabbed 320 rebounds. Awikeh, a master’s student in physiotherapy, played in 76 games, recording 279 points and 295 rebounds. Rathwell, a fifth-year psychology student, played in 62 games, amassing 244 points and 162 rebounds.
“A truly special group,” Bowles said. “They have been pillars in our progress. We will miss them on the pitch, but even more for what they bring to the locker room. »
The Martlets are now waiting to find out the site of their semi-final.
“We did our job,” concluded Bowles. “We know our opponent, but not the location yet. »
A victory in the semi-final next Wednesday (February 25), whether in Montreal or Lennoxville, would provide a bye to the U SPORTS Final 8 national tournament, which will be presented in Quebec and hosted by Laval.
SUMMARY
RANKING AND STATISTICS OF RSEQ
SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
CELL: 514-983-7012
E-MAIL:earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca
