The Queen's Gaels women's basketball team battled hard, but came up short in the Critelli Cup OUA championship final on Saturday evening at the Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC), falling to the Carleton Ravens by a score of 49-41 in front of a crowd of 1,904.

In a rematch from the regular season where the Ravens handed the Gaels their only defeat on Feb 10, Carleton came out on top once again.

In a defensive clash the Ravens held the Gaels to a 19.7 per cent (15-for-76) shooting percentage and just two three-pointers, while managing just enough offense of their own against a stingy Queen’s squad that held them to a 27.1 per cent (16-for-59) efficiency.
 
Heather Lindsay tallied a game-high 15 points and 16 rebounds for Carleton, and was named the Porter Airlines player of the game in helping the Ravens raise the Critelli Cup Trophy for the first time.

The Gaels were led by Emily Hazlett who picked up 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Marianne Alarie added 12 points and six rebounds, while Robyn Pearson had seven points and a game-high 18 rebounds.

“I felt we got good looks at the hoop a number of times, and even when we had those good looks we couldn’t make it,” said Queen's coach Dave Wilson. “This one we'll just have to forget and move on to the next one (at U Sports) and see who we draw. The atmosphere that we had (at the ARC), the signs, the noise, everything like that, it was just a fun place to play.”  

In the semifinals Queen’s beat the Windsor Lancers 64-56 and Carlton topped the McMaster Marauders 55-54.

The Ravens and Gaels will both travel west next week for the ArcelorMittal Dofasco USports Final 8 national championship, taking place at the University of Victoria from March 9-12.

MEN’S HOCKEY

The No. 7 Queen’s Gaels men’s hockey team defeated the No. 3 McGill Redmen 4-2 Friday to sweep their OUA East final series 2-0. With the win, the Gaels now advance to the OUA Queen’s Cup championship where they will face the York Lions and also qualify for the University Cup U Sports championship, both for the first time since 1981.

Dylan Anderson led the way for the Gaels with a hat-trick while Ryan Bloom also scored.

Kevin Bailie continued his solid play in net making 34 saves, including 12 in the third period.

“The guys have been waiting a long time for this,” says head coach Brett Gibson. “They may have outplayed us in the third period, but they didn’t have the heart that we did. We were blocking shots everywhere, and what can you say about Kevin Bailie? He's the best goalie in the country for a reason.”

The Gaels will face the York Lions for the Queen’s Cup title on Saturday, March 11  in Toronto, with puck drop at 7 pm.