Lancers women win fif th CIS title

It’s five and counting for the Windsor Lancers women’s basketball team.

Korissa Williams had 21 points and was named tournament MVP after leading Windsor to a 60- 47 victory over the McGill Marlets in the CIS women’s hoops final. It marked the fifth straight national crown for the top- ranked Lancers, who tied Laurentian’s record of five consecutive titles ( 1975 to ‘ 79).

Windsor also extended its win streak this season to 16 games and playoff win streak to 21 contests. The Lancers’ last defeat came in 2012 when they lost to Ottawa in the OUA Final Four.

The win was also a historic one for Williams and Jocelyn LaRocque. The fifth- year players have raised the Bronze Baby trophy in each of their seasons at Windsor, a CIS first. Williams also added 14 rebounds and seven assists for the Lancers.

“Every championship is special, but this one even more,” said Windsor head coach Chantal Vallee. “We only had nine players for most of the season, and for me, to win in the city of Quebec, where I’m from, it’s pretty special. “We didn’t panic ( when McGill got close), it was no big deal. It happens in basketball, it’s a game of runs. We reacted as champions, pushed to the limit and got some scores.”

The second- place finish was the McGill program’s best after winning bronze in 1996.

“We knew it was going to be a grind,” said McGill head coach Ryan Thorne. “They were a disciplined team, they knew what they were looking for.

“Their experience and their discipline came through and I think that was the difference in the game. To be the best, we have to be more disciplined and follow the game plan and stick with it for 40 minutes. No one is going to give it to you.”

Windsor took a 34- 26 lead at halftime before McGill pulled to within 34- 32 in the third quarter. But Windsor responded by going on an 8- 0 run and finished the quarter leading 45- 38.

McGill made it a five- point game in the fourth but that’s as close as they ’d get against the defending champions.