Ottawa wins a nailbiter over Laval in overtime

The No. 2-seeded Ottawa Gee-Gees have become the first team to book their ticket for the national semifinal beating the No.7-seeded Laval Rouge et Or 71-67 in an overtime nailbiter on Day 1 of the INDOCHINO U SPORTS Women's and Men's Final 8, presented by Victory Creative Group. Excitement was constant in the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre as the game saw 11 lead changes and there where less than five minutes where either team held a lead larger than five points.

Both teams were evenly matched from the beginning with the first quarter ending with the score tied at 17. Ottawa took a slight lead heading into the half 40-38. The game looked to be shifting as Laval took control in the 3rd quarter darting out to a 55-47 lead before Ottawa brought the game back to even at 63 as the clock ran down in the 4th.  

In overtime, a layup gave Laval an early lead until 3-point jump shot by rookie Sophie-Anne Bouffard put Ottawa on top with just over three minutes left and the GeeGees never looked back.

Emily Payne put up a 22-point, 10 rebound double-double as she lead the OUA Champions into the next round, while Ally McCarthy had 18 points and Natsuki Szczokin sank 10 points in the effort. Laval was lead by Briny Holt's 22-point performance and a double-double by Rosemarie Dumont 14 points and 11 rebounds in the hard-fought game. 

Ottawa continues their quest for their first national title against the winner of the Carleton-Bishop's game on Saturday at 6 p.m. (Pacific). Laval will take on the loser of that contest in a consolation game on Friday at 5 p.m (Pacific).