After a long, tough, winless stretch to start the season, the Royals Women's Basketball team earned a pair of victories on the road this weekend. Redeemer swept the Sault Cougars in Sault Ste. Marie Friday and Saturday.
While the Royals enter the week on a two-game win streak, the victories on the weekend did not come easy. Carrying a squad of just 8 players for their first back-to-back contest of the season, the Royals showed incredible grit and determination and were rewarded. With 4 players playing over 30 minutes Friday night, and 4 playing over 40 on Saturday afternoon (OT), Redeemer will look forward to a week of rest as they prepare for Conestoga College Saturday night.
Friday night's win was the first for the women's team this season, and the first for newly appointed Head Coach
Jesse VanHouwelingen. VanHouwelingen and his staff of
Patrick Ivarone and
Madison Behr will now see a stretch in their schedule where they hope to continue their winning ways. After a start to the season that included matches against the 6-1 Fanshawe Falcons, 5-2 Sheridan Bruins, and 4-2 St. Clair Saints, Redeemer's next 2 of 3 will come against teams' with a combined record of 4-10.
On Friday night, a big 3rd quarter propelled the Royals to their first win against Sault by a score of 71-56. After entering the 2nd half up by 1 point, Redeemer dropped 21 points in the 3rd quarter to Sault's 13.
Tobie Brinkman was stellar again for Redeemer in the win, leading the way with 24 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 steals.
Alex Webb and
Julia Pavlik also hit double-digit scores with 19 and 16.
Feeling the effect of the back-to-back, Saturday's match was a bit different for the Royals. Both teams came out sluggish in the first quarter, combining for just 11 total points. The 2nd quarter saw the visitors grab the momentum with some stellar defence. With just 10 points in the quarter for Sault, Redeemer held the home team to just 17% shooting from the field. The Royals opened up a lead and took a 23-16 advantage into the break.
After an even 3rd quarter, the Royals saw their lead disappear in the 4th. Used to playing back-to-backs, the Cougars took advantage of the Royals small bench. With just over two minutes left in the 4th, Sault took the lead 51-50. The Cougars extended their lead to 6 points as the Royals found themselves down 56-50 with just 30 seconds remaining. Needing an incredible effort, the Royals were up for the challenge After a Sault foul,
Julia Pavlik made 1 of 2 free throws to cut the lead to 5. After a quick steal on Sault's next possession,
Tobie Brinkman scored a short jumper and was fouled with 17 seconds remaining. Making her free throw, Redeemer found themselves down by 2. A quick foul send Sault to the line but the home team missed both. Sault seemed to secure the win after another foul send them right back to the line. However, making just one of two, the Royals found themselves down by 3 with a chance to tie. With just 6.6 on the clock, VanHouwelingen used his final timeout to draw up an inbounds play.
Katrina Martin found
Alex Webb who nailed the game-tying 3 to send the game into overtime.
In the overtime, Redeemer found themselves down early. but once again pushed hard to come back. Taking the lead at 63-61 with just over a minute to play, Redeemer would never let it go again, winning 66-63. Brinkman led the Royals in the match offensivley with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Alex Webb added 16.
The Royals will look for three in a row on Saturday when the face the 3-4 Conestoga Condors at 6:00pm.
