MONTREAL – Brigitte Lefebvre-Okankwu of Gatineau, Que., scored a game-high 16 points as the Ottawa Gee-Gees defeated McGill 61-38 in women's preseason basketball, Saturday, at Love Competition Hall. She shot 8-for-15, and was credited with eight rebounds and a pair of assists.

McGill was led by Emma-Jane Scotten, an Ottawa native, who finished with 13 points, six rebounds and two steals. 
 
"It was really fun to play against my hometown team, definitely a game I have had circled on the calendar," said Scotten, a first-year two-guard who was relied upon heavily on the offensive side of the ball. "I played against quite a few of Ottawa's players earlier in my career, and it was great to get to compete against them at this level." 
 
The Martlets clamped down defensively in the first half, limiting the Gee-Gees shooting to under 43 per cent from the field and 2-for-6 from beyond the arc. Unfortunately for the home team, McGill was also off target, particularly from deep, shooting 8-for-38 in the opening 20 minutes. Scotten was a bright spot, connecting on 2-of-3 attempts from three-point range for a team-best six points in the opening stanza.

Ottawa held a 31-18 advantage at the intermission.
 
The second half was largely the same story, with the Martlets unable to find a rhythm offensively. However, they remained steady on defence, holding the visitors shooting to 11-for-26 from the field. Late in the fourth quarter the red and white had an offensive burst, hitting back-to-back threes on the break in the waning moments.
 
"When there's room to attack, I'm going to be looking to take it, whether that leads to an attempt for me or facilitating for teammates," Scotten said. "It's been a long time coming for us to get back on the court, a lot of work, and I'm so excited to be out there competing." 
 
Also contributing for the home side was Charlotte Guerin, a freshman from France, who scored eight points and collected seven boards, while veteran Jessica Salanon of Ile-Perrot, Que., added five points and three rebounds. 
 
McGill, which dropped to 0-2 in the preseason, will try to again for their first victory when they play host to the Queen's University Gaels on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 3 p.m. 
 
BOXSCORE 


SOURCE:
Zachary McRae
Communications Officer
McGill Athletics & Recreation
514.616.5573 (Tel.)
www.mcgillathletics.ca
zachary.mcrae@mcgill.ca