The time has come. No more one-game-at-a-time talk. Saturday at 12 p.m. will mark a date that has been circled on the calendars of all those who have been faithful to the women’s basketball team.
Since a 73-70 defeat at the hands of Laurentian (17-0, 1st OUA East) on January 11 in Sudbury, the Blues have gone 7-1, including four home wins, bringing their record at the Athletic Centre to a flawless 7-0.
The Blues (13-4, 2nd OUA East) have done their part to improve their level of play leading up to this game.
In soundly beating both their opponents last weekend by a combined 38 points, U of T has swept the opening four games of their season-ending seven-game home stand. They look to continue the streak against the CIS #4 Lady Voyageurs in what will be their toughest test at home to date.
“We are sticking with what works for us,” says fourth-year guard Holly Pagnan (10.7PPG, 4.6RPG, 2.6SPG).
“Running in transition and playing tough, aggressive defense. We are preparing for this game as we do for every other game.”
The only loss for the Toronto during their recent eight-game stretch has been to OUA West-leading McMaster (15-3), in a 77-63 setback on January 25.
Otherwise, the Blues have taken advantage of a relatively soft schedule that has included Ottawa (1-17), Carleton (6-12) and Windsor (4-13).
In an important primer for Saturday’s matchup, the Blues trounced Western (13-5) last weekend, 77-66, to prove that their own strong play has been as big a factor in the current five-game winning streak as has been the quality of their opponents.
Toronto will host this year’s OUA tournament, so the mental edge of beating the conference’s best team heading into the playoffs could be significant.
“With an undefeated season at home, we will be entering our playoff games with extra confidence that other teams will be lacking,” says fourth-year forward Vanessa Richardson (13.2PPG, 5.9RPG, 3.1APG).
Although it is unlikely Toronto will be able to catch Laurentian for the top spot in the East with three games remaining, Pagnan adds that this will just be one of the steps to fulfilling the team goal of making nationals.
Richardson agrees that performing at the highest level against a top team will require a concerted effort by everyone.
“Laurentian always comes out with a strong squad…” says Richardson. “As long as we play to our strengths and not consider their weaknesses, we will be successful.”
