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Stephen Leithwood
The No. 6 nationally-ranked Badgers upset the No. 2 Ryerson Rams 84-71 in Toronto on Saturday to win their first ever Critelli Cup, which is named after Brock’s former women’s basketball coach and longtime Assistant Athletic Director.
84
Winner Brock Badgers BRO
71
Ryerson Womens RYE
Winner
Brock Badgers BRO
84
Final
71
Ryerson Womens RYE
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Brock Badgers BRO 23 21 20 20 84
Ryerson Womens RYE 26 12 21 12 71

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Stephen Leithwood

Badgers women are Critelli Cup champions

The Brock Badgers women's basketball team is headed to the U SPORTS Final 8 tournament as provincial champions after winning the Critelli Cup OUA championship in Toronto on Saturday night.

The No. 6 nationally-ranked Badgers upset the No. 2 Ryerson Rams 84-71 to win their first ever Critelli Cup, which is named after Brock's former women's basketball coach and longtime Assistant Athletic Director.

"Words can't describe it. I'm so overjoyed and happy for the team," said Critelli. "I'm so proud that Brock has won the Critelli Cup. It's so special to have a trophy named after you and then give it to a school you put your heart and soul into for 36 years. It's pretty cool."

It's Brock's first OUA title since 1983.

"I want these girls to enjoy the moment," said head coach Mike Rao. "Our pre-game speech was very simple I said 'listen, don't let this game determine who you are. We're going to do the same thing that we always do. Let's just play.'"

trophy celebrateThe Badgers led 44-38 at halftime and would never relinquished the lead.

"Honestly, I'm speechless, I feel like I'm dreaming," said star point guard Melissa Tatti. "Every game is a dream. The comeback, then the comeback again, and now this. We wanted it so badly. It's a dream come true."

Sam Keltos led all scorers with a career-high 42 points. She went eight-for-nine from beyond the arc.

Not surprisingly, the OUA named her the game's MVP.

"I have no words. I am so incredibly proud of this team," said Keltos, who also collected 12 rebounds for a double-double. "Nobody believed in us. We proved people wrong. During the game I was locked in. My teammates said my face was like a zombie, because I was just zoned in."


Tatti finished with 19 points and four assists while Sofia Croce and Jessica Morris chipped in eight and seven points, respectively.

"It was special to sit next to Critelli while watching this game, knowing we haven't won since 1983 and that the Cup is named after her. She's had an impact on everyone on this team," said Brock Sports Associate Athletic Director Emily Allan. "This team has been known recently as the Comeback Queens, but not this time. They had control of the game the entire time.

"I also want to thank the Brock Badgers fans who made it feel like a home game in the Mattamy Centre. It was an electric atmosphere and you could tell the team was feeding off that," Allan said. 

Brock now heads to the 2020 U SPORTS Women's Basketball Championship in Ottawa starting Thursday. Seeding for the tournament will be announced shortly to determine the draw.

Mike Rao net cut
 
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