Guelph held off a strong performance from Brock in a high scoring matchup at the Guelph Gryphons Athletic Centre, winning 85-77 on Nov. 22. This result moved Guelph to 8-2, while Brock dropped 4-4.
The first quarter opened with Brock in full control. They jumped out to an 11-1 lead, fueled by early three-pointers from Jamie Addy and Madalyn Weinert. Brock shot 57.1 per cent from the field and 66.7 per cent from three in the opening frame, finishing the quarter tied 24-24 after Guelph steadily chipped away behind perimeter shooting from Hannah Bourdon and Rain Jhaj.
The second quarter swung the game in Guelph’s favour. Brock’s offense cooled to 31.6 per cent from the floor, while Guelph again put up 23 points. Christine Morra was central to that stretch, scoring inside and getting to the free throw line, finishing the quarter with 12 points. By halftime, Guelph had built a 47-39 lead, helped by an 18-8 rebounding edge in the period and repeated trips to the line.
Brock responded with their stretch of the game in the third. They shot 56.3 per cent from the field and went five-for-five at the free throw line, outsourcing Guelph 24-15. Weinert and Vienna Vercesi drove the comeback, culminating in 18 points throughout the quarter. Vercesi knocked down a three and attacked the paint, while Weinert repeatedly scored at the rim and at the line. Brock briefly took control, moving in front 63-60 before Guelph closed the quarter with a late basket to make it 63-62 heading into the fourth.
The final quarter belonged to Bourdon. She scored 16 points in the frame on six-for-nine shooting, including a perfect four-for-four from three-point range, repeatedly punishing Brock’s defence from beyond the arc. Guelph outscored Brock 23-14 in the quarter and pushed the lead to as many as 11 with 41 seconds remaining. A late three from Janee Harrison cut the final margin to eight, but Brock could not close the gap any further.
Weinert finished with a game high 28 points on 11-for-22 shooting, including 3-for-7 from three and a perfect three-for-three at the line. She also collected 13 rebounds (12 defensive), along with seven assists, three blocks and a steal in 25 minutes. Vercesi added 15 points on four-for-eight shooting and went six-for-six from the free throw line. Addy contributed 11 points, all from the perimeter and the strip, while Harrison provided nine points off the bench. Brock shot 42.4 per cent from the field, 39.1 per cent from three and 92.3 per cent at the line.
Guelph’s advantage came largely on the glass and in extra possessions. They finished with 49 rebounds to Brock’s 26 and converted that into 14 second chance points. Bourdon led Guelph with 30 points and 17 rebounds, hitting seven of 11 three-point attempts and adding four steals. Morra added 18 points and five rebounds, while Alexis Wright recorded 10 rebounds and six assists. Guelph also got 21 points from its bench and turned Brock’s 19 turnover into 19 points, key factors in closing out the 85-77 win.