Waterloo, ON - Western walked into the Laurier Athletic Complex knowing exactly what kind of environment they were stepping into. Tight floor. Loud bench. Early energy from the home side. Laurier struck first with a clean three and followed it with strong interior finishes to jump out early. For a moment the game leaned toward chaos. Western let it breathe.
The opening minutes became about reading the room. Laurier tried to speed it up. Western slowed it down with defense. Paris Alexander jumped the first passing lane and suddenly the floor tilted. Renée Armstrong began attacking downhill forcing help and collapsing the paint. Catíe Joosten cleaned the glass and turned missed shots into extra chances. Possession by possession Western squeezed the game back into their hands. Armstrong hit a pull up. Joosten finished through contact. Alexander attacked the rim. By the end of the first quarter Western had erased the early deficit and built a 20 to 14 lead by simply winning the small battles.
The second quarter was Laurier's push. The home crowd rose as shots started falling and the score tightened. Laurier tied it and for a brief stretch the game sat right on the edge. That is where Western's composure showed. Armstrong went right back to the paint drawing fouls and forcing rotations. Emily Capretta stepped into rhythm threes that quieted the gym instantly. Sydney Cowan pressured the ball full length forcing rushed entries and late clock decisions. Turnovers began stacking. Western converted them calmly. No rush. No panic. By halftime Western had rebuilt separation and went into the break up 36 to 29 feeling firmly in control.
The third quarter decided the night. Western came out with a defensive edge that changed everything. Passing lanes disappeared. Laurier guards hesitated. Alexander hit a three early that stretched the lead. On the next possession Cowan jumped a pass and took it the other way. Armstrong blocked a shot and immediately pushed the pace. Free throws followed as Laurier tried to recover. Every mistake turned into points. Western owned the glass. Western owned the ball. By the midpoint of the quarter the lead was climbing and the energy in the building shifted from noise to tension. Western closed the quarter up 57 to 43 having completely dictated the flow.
The fourth quarter was about finishing with authority. Ainsley Lane buried a three early that felt like a turning of the key. Annie Balfe followed with one from deep. Rachel Daly stepped in and added another. Every time Laurier tried to respond Western answered immediately. Armstrong continued attacking mismatches and calmly knocking down free throws. Alexander kept stealing passes. Cowan kept forcing errors. The lead stretched to twenty four and never came back. Western closed the final minutes with discipline and control sealing a dominant 77 to 55 road win.
This was a game built on pressure and patience. Western forced turnovers. Western converted them instantly. Western never let Laurier settle into rhythm for more than a possession at a time. It was not loud dominance. It was methodical. Relentless. Complete.
Sydney Cowan
9 points
4 rebounds
1 assist
5 steals
Renée Armstrong
16 points
3 rebounds
3 assists
4 steals
Emily Capretta
14 points
3 rebounds
2 assists
1 steal
Paris Alexander
11 points
4 rebounds
2 assists
3 steals
Catíe Joosten
6 points
4 rebounds
1 block
1 steal
