KINGSTON - The Rams women's basketball team captured a convincing 80-49 win over the UPEI Panthers on Thursday afternoon, advancing to the U SPORTS Final 8 semifinals.
Rams forward Rachel Farwell led all scorers with 25 points including seven made threes, with guard Mikaela Dodig contributing 13 points and five assists as the floor general.
With yet another display of a high-powered offence paired with an overwhelming defence, holding their opponents to under 50 points for the 10th time this season, Thursday's match was indicative of the Rams' play all season.
Similarly to many of their matchups this campaign, the Rams came out shooting a little cold, but their strong defence out of the gate allowed them to create extra possessions and finish the first quarter ahead 21-16.Â
Out of the 21 points scored, it was Farwell who contributed 11 of them as her shooting gave the Rams a lift in the opening moments.Â
The second quarter was dominated by the blue and gold, forcing the Panthers to go 0-7 from three, just 2-12 from the field and holding them to just eight points. On offence, improved shooting spaced the floor and allowed the Rams to make easy plays on their way to scoring 20 points. The Rams led 41-24 at halftime.
Despite the Panthers coming out of halftime with a plan to be more aggressive on the drive, getting to the line 12 times and converting nine free throws in the third quarter, the Rams were moving the ball beautifully and created an abundance of open shots.
Shooting 50% from three for the second straight quarter and 50% from the field, the Rams scored a game-high of 22 points in the third quarter, putting the game away and by going up 63-39.
With their confidence high and UPEI tiring out, the Rams continued to shoot efficiently going 4-7 from deep in the final quarter on their way to a 31-point win.
"We have so many threats on the floor and something is bound to open up," said Farwell after her 25 point performance crediting her team's ball movement, "and that was me today."
"I don't expect to shoot 50% the entire tournament […] but I thought we shot the right ones," shared Rams head coach Carly Clarke when discussing her team's three point shooting on the day, adding that their ball movement allowed them to find their shooters open and often.
Looking ahead the Rams find a rematch from last weekend's OUA championship, as they'll take on the Brock Badgers who were winners over the Acadia Axewomen in the second quarter-final. The semifinal at the Queen's Athletic and Recreation Centre will be on Saturday at 3 p.m.
"We're on a mission this year. So focusing on Saturday and starting preparations as soon as we can will be key," said Farwell when asked about this weekend.
Fans can sign up for the fan bus to cheer on their Rams in person!Â
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