Saints look for finishing touch
Losses put OCAA playoffs in jeopardy
The road to the OCAA women’s basketball playoffs looks a little longer today for the St. Clair Saints.
The Saints suffered a tough 72-67 overtime loss to Sault College Saturday, and then went toe-to-toe with one of the league’s best in Algoma University before dropping a 70-65 decision on their home court.
At 4-9, the eighth-place Saints have five games left to jump two spots in the standings. Niagara, at 6-6, currently owns the final playoff position.
“I think we have to win four out of five to get in,” Saints coach Ken Ambrose said.
“We played well but we’ve got to learn how to finish games.”
The Saints trailed 11-2 Algoma by as many as 17 points Sunday only to claw their way back.
“It’s really hard to put your finger on it but we can’t close games,” third-year guard Kelly Rizea said.
“There’s nothing encouraging about being close. It’s crazy and it’s frustrating.”
Rizea scored 18 points on six-of-11 shooting from behind the arc to go with three steals, three blocked shots and three assists.
Arica Price scored 16 points and doled out seven assists while Daniella Abrams had 13 points and nine rebounds and Kaylee Williams scored 11 points and hauled in as many boards.
The Saints wrap up the season against Redeemer, Lambton, Humber, Sheridan and Niagara.
“We’ve got five hard games ahead of us,” Rizea said. “And I don’t think we can lose many more.”
The Saints actually held a one-point lead with 10 seconds to play against the Sault Cou- gars, who came into the game with just two wins in 11 starts.
Rizea was fouled and made one of two free throws to push it to overtime where a poor shooting day continued to fol-
“WE’VE GOT FIVE HARD GAMES AHEAD OF US. AND I DON’T THINK WE CAN LOSE MANY MORE.” KELLY RIZEA
low the home team.
“We played down to their level,” Rizea said of Sault College.
“I think we only shot 16 per cent from the field. Kayla was the only one making any shots.”
Kayla Langlois was making her OCAA debut for the understaffed Saints. The Sandwich grad scored 13 points.
Abrams had 12 points and 17 rebounds and Williams had 11 points and 14 boards.
Price nearly had a triple double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.