Women’s Final 8
WBB: Rams-Badgers II lives up to the original, as Rams work overtime to down Brock for second straight week
KINGSTON, Ont. (April 2, 2022) – In a game that was in doubt for all 40 minutes, the No. 3-seeded Winnipeg Wesmen outlasted the host, and No. 7 seed, Queen’s Gaels 80-78, in the second semifinal of the U SPORTS Women’s Final 8.
The tenth and final lead change of the contest came with 1:20 left as the Wesmen’s Faith Hezekiah drained a pair of free throws to put her side up 79-78. The Winnipeg defence held strong in the final minute to give the Wesmen a chance to win their first Bronze Baby since 1995.
Hezekiah led the Wesmen with a double-double, recording a game-high 26 points and 10 rebounds on her way to being named Winnipeg’s Player of the Game.
“I’m a veteran on this team and in those situations, we have to rise up and be there for our teammates,” said Hezekiah. “I definitely take pride in that, and I knew that we were going to have to take some tough shots and that’s what happened.”
Keylyn Filewich added 22 points and nine rebounds while Kyanna Giles and Robyn Boulanger each added 13 points in the win for Winnipeg.
The Wesmen outshot the Gaels, finishing 49.2 per cent from the floor and 38.5 per cent from three-point range, compared to 39.7 per cent from the floor and 44 per cent from three-point range.
Laura Donovan led the Gaels in scoring with 20 points, while Emma Ritcey added 19 points and Sophie de Goede finished with a double-double, recording 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Ritcey was named the Player of the Game for Queen’s.
With the win, the Wesmen advanced to the championship game on Sunday at 6 p.m. against the Rams. The Gaels will play for the bronze medal against the Brock Badgers on Sunday at 3 p.m.
Nike Top Performers
Winnipeg Wesmen: Faith Hezekiah
Queen’s Gaels: Emma Ritcey