Weinert’s double-double powers Badgers to fifth consecutive victory

The Brock Badgers women’s basketball team traveled to Toronto on Friday, Jan. 19, where they defeated the York Lions for their fifth consecutive win. The victory also extended the Badgers perfect run to start 2024.

Third-year guard Madalyn Weinert led the way again for the Badgers, recording 25 points and 13 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. The St. Catharines product was three assists away from a triple-double with seven and added four steals to her strong performance.

The Lions started the game off hot from the field, taking an early lead over the Badgers before Weinert took charge of the game. The Medical Sciences major dropped 13 points shooting perfectly from the field and charity stripe to give the Badgers a big advantage at the end of the first. 

The momentum swung for the home side early in the second quarter, as they knocked down some quick buckets and played lockdown defence. Feeling the double team and added defensive attention on her, Weinert adapted a more playmaking role in the second, which allowed forwards Oluwatito Akinnusi and Olivia Fiorucci to make their mark on the game. The two traded deep jumpers to propel the Badgers back into the lead. Angeline Campbell finished off the commanding quarter, draining a deep three at the buzzer to give the Badgers a 50-36 lead at the break.

Similarly to the second quarter, the Lions came out of the halftime break firing, but once again the Badgers were able to find an answer. Akinnusi continued to find looks inside, while Campbell continued the firepower from beyond the arc. The Badgers moved the ball near flawlessly, finding open looks and continued to build on their lead for the rest of the quarter.

York continued their trend of strong starts to the quarter, going on an 11-0 run to close the gap to put the pressure on the Badgers. Weinert was able to knock down free-throws and a jumper on consecutive possessions to build on the Badgers lead and begin to silence the home crowd. The Badgers defence fed off of this as they were able to force tough shots and ultimately shut down the surging Lions, taking the wind out of the sails for any possible comeback..

Up next, the Badgers (10-4) will look to defend their perfect record at Bob Davis Gymnasium against the visiting Ontario Tech Ridgebacks (1-13) for the 17^th annual Shoot for the Cure game on Saturday, Jan. 20. Tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m. You can purchase your tickets at https://brocku.universitytickets.com/. The game can also be seen on OUA.tv.