OTTAWA – A year ago the main criticism of the Lakehead Thunderwolves women’s basketball team was their inability to beat teams ahead of them in the standings – in particular teams residing within the national top 10.
They swiped that monkey off their back on Saturday night, stunning the No. 4 Carleton Ravens, on their home court nonetheless, downing the OUA’s top team 56-52.
It was the Leashja Grant show.
The Bahamian Bomber poured in 30 points and hauled in 24 rebounds for the double double-double, a one-woman wrecking crew.
Fittingly it was Grant that put the team ahead for good, two of her eight points in the fourth, the free throws coming with 27 seconds left in regulation to give the Wolves a 54-52 advantage. Nikki Ylagan put it away with a pair of free throws of her own with eight seconds to go.
Lakehead led 20-15 after one and 35-29 at the half, but were outscored 16-10 in the third and entered the fourth tied at 45 apiece.
Madison Reid led the Ravens with 13.
Ylagan finished with seven and Karissa Kajorinne had six for Lakehead, who improved to 5-1.
The Wolves host Queen’s on Friday night and York on Saturday night.
