Axewomen fall short in winning U SPORTS Consolation game

TORONTO (U SPORTS) – The No. 8 Ryerson Rams battled their way to a dominant 91-67 win over the No. 6 Acadia Axewomen in the consolation final to close out their U SPORTS Final 8 campaign on Sunday afternoon at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto.

The Rams would open the flood gates in the opening moments of the game, taking an 8-1 lead just 1:30 into the quarter. Ryerson would extend their lead to 11-3, but a late first-quarter run by the Axewomen would keep the game within reach for the visitors.

Even still, the Rams would take a 26-15 lead at the end of the first quarter. Ryerson's Sofia Paska (Etobicoke, Ont.) had eight points after 10 while Acadia's Haley McDonald (Port Williams, N.S.) countered with seven.

"I really wanted to go out with a bang this weekend, knowing it's my last game wearing a Ryerson Rams jersey," said Paksa, the fifth-year senior. "Everything just seemed to fall into place today."

Acadia continued to struggle in the second quarter, unable to put a stop to Ryerson's dominant offensive efforts. The Rams would score 29 points in the quarter, taking a 55-32 lead at the half while shooting 57 per cent from the floor.

The Axewomen would outscore the Rams in the third, cutting down the deficit by four heading into the final frame. The Rams would hold off Acadia's comeback attempt, though, and walked off their home court with a 91-67 lead over the visiting Axewomen.

Acadia's Jayda Veinot (Port Williams, N.S.) finished the game with 18 points and seven rebounds in 34 minutes. McDonald recorded 11 points, six rebounds and four assists in the loss.

Ryerson's Cara Tiemens (Newmarket, Ont.) had 18 points, two steals, and one assist in 25 minutes on the floor. Paska finished the game with 17 points and 12 rebounds, recording the only double-double of the game.

The win over Acadia sees the Rams earn a fifth-place finish at the tournament, while the Axewomen take sixth.

Players of the Game

Ryerson: Sofia Paska

Acadia: Jayda Veinot