parpho@rogers.com

KINGSTON, Ont. (February 24, 2018) - The Queen's Gaels saw their season come to a close on Saturday night as the Ottawa Gee-Gees took a 74-63 win in OUA playoff action at the Queen's ARC.

The Gee-Gees will now move on to the semifinals where they will visit McMaster the top seed in the OUA West next weekend.

GAME FLOW
The Gaels started slow out of the gate, and Ottawa took full advantage early. The Gee-Gees were able to create space and knock-down their shots against the Gaels in the opening minutes. Amelie Hachey stepped up for a three-pointer for the Gee-Gees to put them up 11-0 to start the game on the Gaels. Queen's was able to respond with a streak of their own though as Veronika Lavergne (Ottawa) got the Gaels on the board and was soon followed by Emma Ritcey (Orillia, Ont.) who knocked down a triple. Abby Dixon was able to get loose and into the paint, for a lay-up to tie the game at 11-11 as Queen's matched the 11-0 run by Ottawa with one of their own. The Gaels grabbed their first lead of the game, but Ottawa jumped back in front 19-16 at the end of the quarter.

In the second the Gaels offensive woes returned, but neither team was particularly efficient shooting as the two strong defensive teams held their ground. A three-pointer from Brooklynn McAlear-Fanus sent Ottawa up 26-16 forcing the Gaels to call a timeout. The strong defensive quarter for Ottawa saw Angela Ribarich pick up six blocks in the second frame alone against the Gaels. Marianne Alarie (Sudbury, Ont.) found a late scoring streak for Queen's knocking down a three and a jumper putting the Gaels within nine at halftime down 35-26.

In the third quarter, the west coast duo of Abby Dixon (North Vancouver, B.C.) and Sophie de Goede (Victoria) each put up points with six apiece in the frame. Ottawa jumped ahead to a 14-point lead, but the Gaels clawed their way back. The Gaels scored six straight before Ottawa could respond with two then added another four and at the end of the third found themselves down just 51-44.

The Gaels went toe-to-toe with Ottawa early in the fourth and after a Dixon jumper and de Goede free-throw they Gaels were within six. Angela Riberich scored two of her nine fourth quarter points with just two minutes left in the frame to ice the game. The Gaels couldn't find a way back from there down eight and forced to foul.

The game finished with the Gee-Gees eliminating Queen's 74-63.

BY THE NUMBERS
0 - Games won by the home team in the three meetings this season
19 - Points for Ribarich to go along with 11 rebounds and eight blocks
9 - Assists for Ritcey
16 - Points for Dixon to lead all Gaels scorers