A brief lead and a late game push for the hometown Thunder wasn’t enough to defeat the only undefeated team in the east division.
The efforts made by the women’s basketball team made for a close game but they ultimately lost 73-64 against the St. Lawrence Vikings on Jan. 27.
Coming into this game as the underdogs, the Thunder (6-5) held their own against the top team in the east, the undefeated Vikings (11-0).
With this loss the Thunder fell to 6-6 on the season.
The first quarter was mostly Algonquin and for a moment it felt as if the Thunder could achieve what no other team had done all season — beat St. Lawrence College. When the buzzer went for the first quarter the Thunder led 20-18.
“We played well, battled, and stayed with them the entire quarter, that’s all I can ask for,” said head coach Laura Bond. “We all know what team we’re playing and what they’re capable of. We just need to focus on the positives.”
The Thunder stuck to the plan but unfortunately it wasn’t enough for the parade of three pointers made by the Vikings in the final quarters.
By halftime the Vikings were ahead 35-27, and by the third quarter it was 55-48 and finally after the fourth quarter the score was 73-64.
The only lead the Thunder held was in the first quarter but they battled hard throughout the entire game keeping the Vikings lead to within a few baskets.
Although the final results didn’t favour the Thunder, there were plenty of positives to take away from the game. There was strong play throughout the entire roster, from the starters to the players coming off the bench.
Amoney Akabar, guard, and Nya Gathoth, guard, were a big part of why the Thunder stayed neck and neck the entire game against one of the best teams in the league. Both ladies provided key offence and defence when the team most needed it.
“All of the girls played well and gave us a chance to win,” said Bond. “Every game we get strong performances from different girls.”
Before the game against the top team in the east, the women’s team started the 2017 campaign with strong play against George Brown, Jan. 20, and Georgian, Jan. 21; both games resulted in wins for the Thunder.
This game was the third and final meeting of the season between Algonquin and St. Lawrence. The Vikings defeated the Thunder in all three.
The Thunder regained momentum with a win the following day, Jan. 28, against the Loyalist Lancers, 79-41. The weekend back-to-back put them to a modest 7-6 on the season.