RECAP: Ottawa downs Lakehead, Brock in home opening weekend

The Ottawa Gee-Gees women's basketball team logged a successful home opening weekend at Montpetit Hall, earning a 70-62 win over Lakehead on Friday and a 74-56 win over Brock on Saturday. 

With the wins, Ottawa improves their early season record to 4-1, a resounding bounce back from a difficult season-opening loss in Guelph. With the wins, the Gee-Gees have rattled off four straight victories.

On Friday, Natsuki Szczokin and the Gee-Gees rode a dominant first and third quarters to an eight-point win. Szczokin led the way with 21 points, five rebounds, and two steals. With troubles shooting from beyond the arc, Ottawa executed on second chance opportunities to the tune of 24 points on the second effort.

Emily Payne added 15 points and six rebounds, while Allie McCarthy finished in double figures with 14 points and did a substantial job in the paint with nine rebounds.

With Brock entering Saturday night's matchup fresh from dropping an overtime thriller against #1 Carleton the night prior, Ottawa ratcheted up the defensive pressure to slow the Badgers and earn an 18-point win to close the weekend.

A back-and-forth affair early, the Gee-Gees used a massive defensive third quarter where they held Brock to only two points to springboard to the win. 

Led by a 17-point effort by Szczokin, Ottawa used on-ball pressure throughout the game to force Brock into 19 turnovers, which the Gee-Gees turned into 22 points.

Payne, McCarthy, and Ariane Saumure joined Szczokin scoring in double figures on the night.

What They're Saying: 

"We had a lot of adjustments to make from Friday. I think where we're at now shows where we can be after Christmas and it's really promising." – Gee-Gees head coach Rose-Anne Joly.

"It's been great to feed off one another and rely on your teammates, knowing that they're giving the same energy back. It's great being able to rely on your teammate's [to step up defensively] like that." – Ariane Saumure, guard. 

What's Next: 

The Gee-Gees will take to the road for their final road stand of the 2023 calendar year, where they will travel to Northern Ontario for matchups with the Nipissing Lakers and the Laurentian Voyageurs (Friday and Saturday / 6 p.m. / OUA.tv)