(London, Ontario) – Fanshawe Falcons Women's Basketball Head Coach Bill Carriere recorded his 200th career victory on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons (18-1, 2nd in West) defeated Loyalist (6-11, 6th in East) 92-54 in their first round playoff game to advance to the OCAA Provincial Championship.
Fifth-year forward Natalie Warren (London, ON) opened the scoring for the Falcons with a smooth mid-range jumper. Warren scored seven first quarter points to get Fanshawe off to a hot start. The home team played excellent defense in the first frame, only allowing the Lancers to score six points on 13% shooting. Rookie Grace Shea (Caledonia, ON) closed the quarter with four straight points on strong drives to the basket and Fanshawe was leading 21-6 after ten minutes of play.
Senior Falcons shooting guard Mikhaila Wright (London, ON) was all over the floor in the second quarter, deflecting passes and controlling the glass both on defense and offense. A Wright offensive rebound resulted in second chance points for Jordan Braekevelt (Sarnia, ON). Alison Cotton (London, ON) then had a massive block to maintain Fanshawe's lead going into the locker room, 43-23.
Chuot Angou (London, ON) went off in the third quarter, recording 12 points for the home team. A nice cross court pass from Taylor Hill (Ohsweken, ON) found Angou for back-to-back triples. Mackenzie Van Dyk (Parkihill, ON) excited the home crowd with two blocks of her own as the Falcons extended their lead. Despite Loyalist's best efforts, Fanshawe would go on to win the game by a final score of 92-54. Wright recorded an impressive 14 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Angou, Warren and Van Dyk were also in double figures with 17, 13 and 10 points respectively. The Falcons set a new Fanshawe playoff record for most team assists with 30 on 37 made field goals.
Carriere now holds an overall record of 200-72 (including OCAA and CCAA playoff wins) for a winning percentage of .735 and is 168-52 (.764) in OCAA regular season play. He has won five provincial titles, is a five-time OCAA Coach of the Year and was named CCAA Coach of the Year in 1994.
The OCAA Provincial Championship will be hosted by St. Clair College in Windsor from March 6-8. The Falcons will play the Durham Lords (14-3, 3rd in East) in an OCAA quarterfinal at 3pm on Friday, March 6.