The No. 15 nationally ranked Mohawk Mountaineers women's basketball team secured the OCAA Championship for the first time since 1991, defeating the No. 11 nationally ranked Humber Hawks 73-69 to claim provincial gold.
The Mountaineers came out strong, scoring the first seven points of the game. However, Humber responded, eventually leading 18-17 at the end of the first quarter.
Down by eight with 4:56 left in the first half, Mohawk mounted a mini run to close the gap, but still trailed 39-37 at the break.
The teams exchanged baskets early in the third quarter, with the Hawks pushing their lead to five. Trailing 48-43 with 5:59 left in the frame, the Mountaineers went on a 12-2 run to take a 55-50 lead. Mohawk held a 57-53 advantage heading into the final quarter.
Humber continued to battle, cutting the lead to 61-59 with 6:15 remaining. The Mountaineers responded with a quick 4-0 run to regain a six-point lead, but the Hawks didn't back down, trimming the deficit to just one point at 67-66 with 1:49 left.
Kendra Oliver (Ajax, Ont.) and Angong Jacob (Calgary, AB) each converted key layups, pushing Mohawk's lead back to five. After Humber cut the margin to two with 28 seconds left, Jacob sealed the win at the free throw line, hitting two clutch shots.
Oliver finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Jacob also contributed 24 points. Maddie Anderson (Whitby, Ont.) was pivotal, adding 10 points, six rebounds, six assists, and five steals.
With the victory, Mohawk has earned a spot in the 2025 CCAA Women's Basketball National Championship, set to take place at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, NB from March 12-15.
