Queen's vs. Ste. Foy October 13, 2007

Gaels 82, Ste. Foy 72
By Dave Wilson

On Saturday we hosted the Ste. Foy Dominiques (CEGEP) from Quebec City. They are a very athletic team with excellent perimeter shooting and a couple of solid post players. I thought we started the game very tentatively - lacking aggression on defense and not transitioning well to offense. Again our shooting was off early in the ball game, but began to settle down as the game wore on. Ste. Foy opened the game with a 3-point hoop. It took us 4 possessions before we found our range - courtesy of a steal and transition lay up by Jaime Dale. The game went back and forth for the entire first half with neither team able to open a lead of more than 6 points. At the half, the game was dead-locked at 41. Our intensity on defense picked up considerably in the third quarter, as did our speed in transition. The increased pressure on defense proved key to sparking a 25 point third quarter, while giving up 14. This essentially was the difference in the game as we traded baskets for the fourth quarter to end with an 82-72 victory. Rookie, Christine Wallace had an outstanding game pouring in 17 points in a combination of 3-pointers and full-court lay ups in transition. Rookie Alaina Porter also had an excellent game, drawing 3 charges on defense and contributing to the fast break with a number of defensive steals. Captain Sarah Barnes found her stroke, finishing with 11 points. Point guard Teddi Firmi had an excellent game distributing the ball, racking up 12 assists, while providing excellent ball pressure on defense.

Up next is an east coast swing. On Friday we will play Cape Breton University in Sydney, NS at 6:30pm, followed by a re-match on Saturday at 1:00pm. On Sunday, we will head to Truro, NS to meet up with UPEI for a game at 12n (all local times).