December 5, 2022 - By: Korry Brankin (Photos: Valerie Wutti / Blitzen Photography)
OTTAWA - The Ravens finished strong in their final game of 2022 with a commanding 88-43 win over the Algoma Thunderbirds.
After a tough loss to the Brock Badgers on Friday night, the Ravens looked to turn things around against the 0-9 Algoma Thunderbirds and that is exactly what they did. In the opening quarter, the Ravens shot 42.1% from the field and 42.9% from beyond arc with Oceane Kounkou (Gatineau, Que.) leading all Ravens with 5 points off the bench to make it a 19-9 lead heading into the second quarter.
“I think because we had lost Friday there was some anger and our girls, you could tell in the shoot this morning, they were out to redeem themselves,” said Head Coach Dani Sinclair as she spoke about the team’s mentality.
The Ravens continued their hot streak on both ends of the floor, shooting 40% from the field and holding Algoma to only 9.1% and forcing 8 turnovers, resulting in 8 additional points for the Ravens. Continuing the strong Ravens bench performance, Emma Kiesekamp (Merrickville, Ont.) finished the half with 8 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block off the bench to put the Ravens up 40-16 at the end of 20 minutes.
Keeping up their consistent effort on both sides of the ball, the Ravens were able to draw fouls, force Algoma to take long threes, and play excellent paint defence as they held Algoma to 4-16 from the field and 1-7 from beyond the arc in the third quarter. Jacqueline Urban (Ancaster, Ont.) came alive in the quarter as she finished the frame with 4 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal to help the Ravens extend their lead to 58-25.
With 10 minutes remaining, the Ravens kept their foot and gas and finished the game with each Raven hitting the floor and each Raven scoring a field goal for the team. Outscoring the Thunderbirds 30-16 in the quarter, the Ravens remained consistent in all aspects, shooting 63.2% from the field, 50% from beyond the arc, and 100% from the free throw line, while holding Algoma to 38.5% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc, and 50% from the free throw line, allowing the Ravens to take an 88-41 win over the Algoma Thunderbirds, giving them a 7-2 record heading into the holiday break.
This win brings the Ravens into the holiday break with great momentum that they will look to keep when they return to the court in the new year. On January 13, 2023, the Ravens host the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks (1-8) at 6 pm at the Ravens' Nest where they will look to keep their win streak at home alive.
