Algonquin women’s basketball team continued their annihilation of the OCAA East division with a 73-46 win over the Loyalist Lancers on Nov. 22, leaving them with a perfect 8-0 record as they sit comfortably atop the standings heading into the winter break.
The Thunder jumped ahead quickly with a 13-2 run to start the game and looked destined for another lopsided victory. But Loyalist came out firing in the second quarter, hitting a couple of key three-pointers and eventually closing the gap to five points.
This short run by the Lancers proved to be futile. Algonquin returned to form in the latter half of the quarter, ending the half up 19 points, cruising to victory from there.
“It was an important win for us,” said Thunder guard Felicia Mazerolle, who had a game-high 25 points. “It’s the last game of this half of the season, so we’re hoping it serves as a solid transition into the next one.”
Thunder head coach Laura Bond was also satisfied with the team’s final showing of the first half.
“In the end, I think we were just deeper. Everyone on our team played today and everyone contributed, so it was a good team effort for us.”
The Thunder haven’t just been grinding out victories to achieve their perfect status; they have been beating teams in convincing fashion, scoring an average of 79 points per contest and outscoring opponents by an average of 34 points per game over the season’s eight-game span.
But Bond insists this has not and will not go to the players’ heads.
“We prep really hard for every game, whether we’re playing the team in last or first place, so I think that kind of keeps everything consistent. When it comes down to it though, whether we’re up 40 or down 40, we’re really just focusing on what we’re doing and not everyone else.”
The Thunder will be off for the winter break until Jan. 16, when they will once again take on the Loyalist Lancers. Mazerolle knows the goal now is to remain in game shape.
“Fitness is definitely the main goal, as we need to keep working out. It’s obviously going to have to be more independent for now, but I have faith that the girls will do it and come back strong.”