OTTAWA, Ont.- The Brock University women's basketball team (24-13 overall, 2-1 playoffs) knocked off the No. 5 ranked Carleton Ravens by the score of 58-51 in the OUA bronze medal game Saturday night at Montpetit Hall.

With the victory, Brock advances to CIS Regionals next weekend.

"This was a great overall team win," said Brock head coach Si Khounviseth. "We played a very strong defensive game and did all the little things well. Samantha had a phenomenal game at both ends of the floor and our guard play was outstanding."

Brock led by four at the half 31-27.

Late in the third quarter, the Ravens led 42-40. With 1.6 seconds left in the quarter, Brock freshman Kayla Santilli (Brantford, Ont.) put the Badgers ahead 43-40 hitting the layup and one.

In the fourth quarter, Brock was held scoreless for the first four minutes before senior Jessica Del Signore (Brantford, Ont.) knocked down a three-pointer tying it 46-46 with 5:40 left in regulation. Brock's Nicole Rosenkranz (Niagara Falls, Ont.) would then knock down two free throws to go up 48-46.

Carleton's Elizabeth would answer with a three-pointer at 3:55 to take a 49-48 lead. Genavieve Melatti would go 1-for-2 from the charity stripe to give the Ravens a two-point lead 50-48 with 40 seconds remaining.

With just 27.1 seconds left on the clock, Brock senior Emily McKay (Toronto, Ont.) would lay it off the glass and in tying it 50-50 to send it to overtime.

In overtime, Brock would open with a 4-0 run in the first minute with baskets from Del Signore and junior Samantha deJong (St. Catharines, Ont.). Melatti would cut the lead to three with 3:43 left, before McKay hit a jumper with 1:07 left to put Brock up 56-51. The Badgers would knock down two free in the final minute to secure the victory.

Leading the Badgers offense was deJong (St. Catharines, Ont.) who recorded 12 points and nine rebounds. For her performance, deJong was named the OUA Player of the Game. Rosenkranz added her 15th double-double of the season finishing with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Andrea Polischuk (Brantford, Ont.) chipped in with nine points in the victory.

Carleton's Alyson Bush led all scorers with game-high 19 points and five rebounds. Ashleigh Cleary contributed with 15 points and eight rebounds.

For the game, Brock shot 33.3% (22-for-66) from the field. The Ravens were held to their second lowest shooting percentage of the season going just 16-for-67 (23.9%) from the floor, despite outrebounding Brock 55-41.

Photo credit: Richard Whittaker