TORONTO – The Ryerson Rams started their playoff push Saturday evening after a bye week, hosting the Queen's Gaels in a Critelli Cup quarter-final and taking the win 74-59 to advance to the semifinals.

The Rams won the possession off the tip and connected right away as Stefanija Mrvaljevic (Mississauga, Ont.) sunk the open three-pointer. The Rams would then go on defence and keep the Gaels scoreless for over four minutes and would lead by six partway through the opening quarter. Back-to-back steals from the Rams and consistent shooting would give the Rams a comfortable 23-14 lead heading into the second quarter.

"We were really focused defensively," said head coach Carly Clarke. "We had a good idea of what we wanted to do, and we executed our game plan and forced them to take shots we wanted them to take."

The second quarter would start off a bit shaky with some missed calls on both sides, but the Gaels would eventually get a call in their favour and Sophie de Goede would go two for two. The shooting would cool off for over two minutes as both teams would have trouble getting the ball to fall. The Rams eventually found their rhythm once again as Hayley Robertson (Toronto) drained back-to-back baskets, a three-pointer and a layup. She would end with 23 points, five rebounds, and nine assists. From there it would be all Rams as they went on a 15-2 run to end the quarter leading, 41-18 at halftime. 

"We have so many different weapons," said Robertson. "So, it was just trust what we've done to get here, execute, and rise to the occasion."

The Gaels came out firing in the third, going two for two on their opening free throws and sinking a three on the next play. The game would be more evenly matched in the third as the Gaels picked up their intensity. The Gaels would outscore Ryerson 21-14 in the third, scoring three from beyond the arc while preventing the Rams from finding an open shot. Instead of maintaining a 23 point lead the Rams' advantage dropped to 16. 

"We knew this team was going to go on a run," said Clarke. "We talked about keeping our composure and staying with our plan, keeping the ball moving and we managed to do that." 

It would not get any easier in the fourth as the Gaels opened with four unanswered points, eventually cutting the lead to 11. The Rams would not go down easy as Bronwyn Williams (Toronto) registered back-to-back blocks, Robertson connected for another three, and Rachel Farwell (Rothesay, N.B.) would force a turnover getting Clarke out of her seat. The Rams would have life breathed back into them during the last five minutes of the quarter. Focusing back on defence, the Rams forced turnovers, got steals and made blocks to win this game 74-59. 

"Our defence won us the game," said Clarke. "We found ways to score, but we've been emphasizing this all season and particularly this week, we held them to less than 60 which is really good."

The Rams advance to the Critelli Cup semifinal against the Ottawa Gee-Gees to be played on Wednesday, February 26 in Ottawa. Stream the game live on OUA.tv. 

"Ottawa is a very talented team, they were ranked number one in the nation," said Robertson. "It's going to be a tough one in Ottawa, but we're going to get our game plan and play the way we can."