Marauders knock off No. 8 Brock women's basketball 73-67 in OUA West Semi-Finals
ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - The Brock University women's basketball team (18-3 OUA West, 0-1 postseason) had their season come to an end Saturday afternoon at home as they dropped a 73-67 decision to the McMaster Marauders (12-9 OUA West, 2-0 postseason).
Since making it to the OUA West Final in back-to-back-years in 2004 and 2005, the Badgers have gone just 7-11 in the postseason including four one-game exits.
McMaster opened the game on an 8-2 run in the first four minutes and extended their lead to 16, 26-10, with 1:53 remaining in the first quarter. Brock closed out the quarter on a 6-0 run cutting the Marauders lead to ten, 26-16.
Midway through the second quarter, McMaster put together a 7-2 run as they led by double-digits again 35-24 with 4:13 left in the half.
The Badgers would go on a 13-2 run over the next four minutes to tie the game 37-37 with 12 seconds on the clock.
The Marauders would close out the half with a three from Vanessa Bonomo at the buzzer to take a 40-37 lead after 20 minutes.
To open the third quarter, McMaster rookie Danielle Boiago drained one of her game-high six three-pointers from the top of the arc to put the maroon and grey up 43-37.
The Badgers would answer back with nine of the next 11 points to take a 46-45 lead with 6:24 left in the third quarter.
The two teams would exchange baskets the remainder of the quarter with four different lead changes. McMaster led 55-54 after 30 minutes.
In the first three minutes of the final quarter, the Marauders went on a 9-2 run to take a 64-56 lead.
Brock would rally back and cut the McMaster lead to one, 68-67 with 58 seconds remaining.
The Marauders Boiago would drain a clutch three with 30 seconds left in regulation to put her team up 71-67. In desperation, Brock would miss three straight three-point attempts to end the game.
Boiago knocked down two free throws in the final seconds to secure the road victory.
Boiago led all scorers with a game-high 30 points including six three-pointers. Hailey Milligan recorded 17 points and 14 rebounds for the double-double. Also in double digits was Elizabeth Burns who added 10 points in the victory.
Leading the Badgers was Andrea Polischuk (Brantford, Ont.) who collected 22 points, six rebounds and five assists. Nicole Rosenkranz (Niagara Falls, Ont.) contributed with 18 points, seven assists and nine rebounds. Kayla Santilli (Brantford, Ont.) rounded out the leaders adding 13 points and four rebounds.
For the game, McMaster shot 41.5% (27-for-65) from the field, 31.8% (7-for-22) from beyond the arc and 85.7% (12-for-14) from the charity stripe. Brock shot 40.0% (26-for-65) from the field, a dismal 16.7% (3-for-18) from three-point range and 92.3% (12-for-13) from the free throw line.
