FREDERICTON – Mariah Nunes and Keneca Pingue-Giles both had 20 points to lead Ryerson to a 87-72 semifinal win over McGill on Saturday at the Canadian university women’s basketball tournament. Ryerson will face the University of Saskatchewan in the final Sunday.
Saskatchewan defeated the Saint Mary’s Huskies 65-58 in the other semifinal contest.
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Silvana Jez also scored 16 points for Ryerson, which scored 20 points off McGill’s 18 turnovers.
Jennifer Silver led the way for McGill with 21 points while Gabriela Hebert added 14 points.
Rams coach Carly Clarke was pleased with her team’s game management.
“We wanted to play with this tempo, and we set a good pace with rebounding off the boards, and defensive quickness to steal the ball,” she said. “They (McGill) are a great team, they were a tough challenge.”
Ryerson University has never won a medal in woman’s basketball, a fact not lost upon on Clarke.
“It means so much to the players, to the team, and the university administration and the community,” she said. “I feel lucky to be part of this kind of success.”
Jez was emotional about the win.
“It’s hard to speak, right now,” she said. “We have been building and building, getting stronger year after year.
“Last year we had players with not too much experience at this level. This year, we bring a lot more versatility. I’m really glad to be here, now.”
McGill will cap its tournament facing Saint Mary’s for the bronze medal Sunday.
“We came here to represent the university,” said McGill head coach Ryan Thorne. “We have a chance to play for a medal, and we are going to play hard for a win.”
Earlier, Laura Dally, Canada West’s player of the year, led Saskatchewan with 24 points. Dalyce Emmerson added 17 points and 18 rebounds.
“I have played in two other semis, and we didn’t get to the finals, so this is really nice,” Emmerson said. “We still have some business to take care of, but right now, I am so, so happy.”
Rachelle Coward had 19 points for Saint Mary’s while Angelina Carvery added 10 points.
Saskatchewan led by 17 points in the third before Saint Mary’s mounted a rally to make it a one-point contest.
“They did some things differently in the second half, scored in transition and had too many good scorers to be taken lightly,” Saskatchewan head coach Lisa Thomaidis. “We are happy to escape with the win and it was an escape.
“They made a run, and we had to find ways to get those mismatches.”
One mismatch was the size and strength of the six-foot-three Emmerson, said Thomaidis.
“Emmerson is a once in a career kind of player,” Thomaidis said. “She pushes through a lot of pain, just grinds it out.”
Saint Mary’s Laura Langille, a graduating senior, was clearly emotional after the loss.
“It was a tough game,” a tearful Langille said. “They used their size and speed, and we knew they would but it is not something we are used to here in Atlantic University Sport league action.
“They have that front five, all big. I’m proud of our team, we never quit. We trailed by 17 and came back to within one but we didn’t have enough time on our side.”
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