WEEKEND RECAP: Historic Weekend for Lefebvre-Okankwu as Gee-Gees Spilt Home-and-Home with Gaels

The Gee-Gees women's basketball returned from their winter hiatus to a test against nationally-ranked opposition in the Queen's Gaels. The Garnet and Grey dropped their first game back, 59-47, but responded on Saturday winning a tight game 69-67.

Despite the scores, the story of the weekend was Brigitte Lefebvre-Okankwu cementing her legacy in the annuals of the University of Ottawa history. She becomes the third player in Gee-Gees' history to reach 1,000 points and 500 rebounds over the course of her career. The Gatineau, Que., product scored her 1,000^th point in the third quarter of Friday's game. She would have to wait until the third quarter on Saturday to get her 500^th rebound in Garnet and Grey.

"I feel privileged and honoured. I couldn't have done it without my teammates, coaches, family and friends," Lefebvre-Okankwu said.

Lefebvre-Okankwu is only 25 points behind Stella Ighorewo (1044), and 464 points behind Hannah Sunley-Paisley (1483) who is the all-time leading point scorer in Gee-Gees program history.

"It's incredible. I remember seeing [Sunley-Paisley] playing, I had my first practice while she was still practicing with the team, and I just remember thinking she is an incredible player and I want to be just like her. I love it. It is just incredible," said Lefebvre-Okankwu.

Lefebvre-Okankwu would lead all Gee-Gees in scoring on Friday, with 11 points. Nadine Katumbayi (8 pts. / 5 rebs. / 3 stls.) and Oksana Gouchie-Provencher (7 pts. / 2 reb.) both were offensive bright sports for the Garnet and Grey.

On Saturday the Gee-Gees, looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season, would storm out to an early five-point lead. The game would be tightly fought throughout, with the Garnet and Grey winning 69-67. Queen's Laura Donovan dropped 24 points, including draining five three-pointers. Three Gee-Gees would reach double-digit points with Lefebvre-Okankwu leading all players with 15. Natsuki Szczokin scored 11 while adding six assists, and Anne Carr scored 10 points, adding five rebounds.

"Today's motto was to play our game, and that is what we did. Yesterday was a setback but only a small setback but only a small setback for us, ahead of the rest of the season," said Gee-Gees head coach Rose-Anne Joly.

The Gee-Gees women's basketball team is back in action next weekend when they travel to the Raven's Nest to take on the Carleton Ravens. Capital Hoops tips off at 6:00 pm.