Oshawa, ON - The Redeemer University women's basketball team knocked off the No. 15 nationally ranked Durham Lords by the score of 68–62 in the crossover game Saturday afternoon on the road.

With the victory, Redeemer made history advancing to the OCAA Women's Basketball Championships for the first time in the program's history.

"We put in some hard work this week and really put together a solid game plan," said Royals head coach Jesse VanHouwelingen. "It all came down to the team executing. Tonight they stuck to the game plan and battled. The battle of the west really prepared us for tonight. Durham is a good team, and tonight we really played as a team and kept our composure. We had balanced scoring, team rebounded and really shared the ball. Big win for this team and for the program. So proud of the girls and looking forward to the upcoming week."

Redeemer led by one at the half 36-35. To open the third quarter, Durham went on a 5-0 run to go up 40-36 before the Royals answered with a 14-2 run to take a 50-42 lead with 4:41 left in the third. The Lords cut the lead to two,, 50-48 with two minutes on the clock and the Royals added three more with three straight free throws from fourth year Jessica Angelini (Hamilton, ON) to lead 53-48 after 30 minutes.

Early in the fourth quarter Durham evened the score 53-53. The Royals offense continued to push and held a five point lead 64-59, before Durham's Brianna Morrison knocked down a three to make it a two point game, 64-62, with 1:21 left in regulation. Redeemer went 4-for-6 from the free throw line in the final minute to secure the road victory.

The Royals were led by second year Karyn TeBrake (Ottawa, ON) who recorded 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Angelini recorded 15 points and five rebounds, including knocking down three 3-pointers from downtown. First year Serena Vitello (Hamilton, ON) contributed with a season-high 14 points while adding six rebounds and four assists.

Rounding out the Redeemer leaders were first year Julia Stayshyn (Dundas, ON) who chipped in with 12 points and four rebounds and first year Talia Vreugdenhil (Frankford, ON)  who finished with eight points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Stayshyn was a defensive force, holding one of Durham's leading scorers Emily Glendinning to a season low three points.  

"We played a strong team defense but a special performance from Julia, one of the top rookie defenders in the OCAA, who was the spark on defense and able to defend one of Durham's top players limiting her offensive chances," said VanHouwelingen.

Durham was led by Daija Thompson and Morrisson who registered 22 and 16 points respectively.

For the game, Redeemer shot 39.6% (21-53) from the field, 24.0% (6-25) from three-point land and 83.3% (20-24) from the free throw line. Durham went 26-75 (34.7%) from the floor, 16.7% (3-18) from long range and 7-14 (50.0%) from the charity stripe.  

Redeemer will play next week in the quarter-finals at the OCAA Championships hosted by Niagara College.