SYDNEY — The Queen’s University Gaels defeated the University of Alberta Pandas 72 to 62 in Saturday’s U Sports Final 8 women’s basketball Championship semifinal.
It was a neck-and-neck matchup until the final minutes of the last quarter when Queen’s began to pull away. Alberta led the opening two frames, winning the half 34-30. But it all began to unravel for the Pandas in the fourth.
Queen’s forwards Julia Chadwick and Bridget Mulholland grabbed double-doubles on the night. Chadwick finished the game with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Mulholland grabbed 10 boards and 13 points.
Alberta guards Jenna Harpe and Emma Kary and forward Claire Signatovich dropped 15 points each, combining for 45 of their team’s 62 points. But the stat sheet highlights a more significant issue, Alberta’s nine per cent shooting accuracy from beyond the arc.
Alberta failed to score a three-pointer in the opening three quarters. The Pandas’ first and only three-pointer came from Emma Kary with 4:18 remaining in the game. In total, the Pandas went one for 11 from three-point range, compared to Queen’s 10 for 21 from the same distance.
Ironically, the moment Kary made the Pandas’ first three-point shot is the moment their scoring drought began. Alberta did not score a field goal for the rest of the game. The Pandas were able to add three points when Morgan Harris and Harpe made one and two free throws, respectively.
But Alberta’s unravelling wasn’t for the lack of trying. Queen’s up the intensity in the final minutes of the game.
Guard Laura Donovan drilled a three-pointer with 2:11 left on the clock to put Queen’s up by six. Chadwick blocked Harris’s attempt at the net when Alberta tried to respond. The Gaels forced a Pandas turnover on the following inbound. Bridget Mulholland made a layup on the next play to put the Gaels up by eight.
When Alberta called a timeout to talk things out, it was apparent Queen’s had one foot inside the championship game tomorrow.
FINAL: Alberta Pandas 72 – Queen’s Gaels 62 pic.twitter.com/0YoE5lkySK
— Jayden R. Dill (@JaydenDill) March 11, 2023
When that became reality, the Gaels’ bench excitedly bombarded their teammates on the court. The Pandas walked back in disappointment.
Queen’s will face the winner of the second semifinal matchup of the day, the Carleton Ravens against the St. Mary’s Huskies, on Sunday at 5 p.m. EST. The Pandas will face the loser of that contest in the bronze medal game on Sunday at 2 p.m. EST.
Featured image by Jayden R. Dill.
