(Kingston, Ontario) – The St. Clair College Women’s Basketball team gave the nation’s top ranked team all they could handle Saturday night but eventually fell 78-72 to Fanshawe College (London) and settled for the Silver Medal at the OCAA Provincial Championship hosted by St. Lawrence College in Kingston. This is the first medal since 2014 for the Lady Saints and equals their performance from 2010 when they also earned a Silver.
In the very entertaining and competitive gold medal game St. Clair and Fanshawe shared the lead ten times. The Saints were able to play even early and enjoyed a brief lead in the first quarter but entered the second down 20-15. St. Clair began to chip away before the half and again briefly led before surrendering the final two baskets that put them in a 33-29 deficit. Fanshawe stretched their lead to as much as eight points in the third quarter but the Saints battled back late to win the frame and only trailed 54-51 heading to the last. Down 58-51 early in the fourth St. Clair put together their best stretch retaking the lead with 5 minutes to go. As part of a 15-4 run the Saints were suddenly ahead 66-62 with 4 minutes to play. But Fanshawe responded with some timely shots and outscored St. Clair 16-6 in the game’s final minutes.
Jana Kucera (Chatham, ON) scored 20 points to the lead the Saints with twin sister Logan Kucera (Chatham, ON) right behind her with 17 points to go with 8 rebounds. Player of the Game honours went to St. Clair’s Anna Ulicny (Tecumseh, ON/St. Anne) who scored 13 points while adding 3 rebounds and a pair of assists off the bench who was doubtful prior to the game due to injury. Championship All-Star team selections went to St. Clair’s Jana Kucera and Kim Moroun.