WBB: Wolves drop finale, lose out on first-round bye

The Lakehead Thunderwolves played the Guelph Gryphons even over the final three quarters.

It’s the first 10 minutes that stung.

The Wolves women were outscored 27-10 in the first quarter and went on to a costly 84-67 road loss that dropped them to fifth place in the ratings performance index standings.

The defeat means the Thunderwolves did not earn a first-round bye and instead will open the playoffs Wednesday night at home versus either Western or Carleton.

McMaster, who finished 15-4, earned the fourth seed and the bye over the Thunderwolves, who ended the season at 14-5.

Jylisa Williams extended her OUA single-season point record, scoring 23 for Lakehead to finish with 548, but was in foul trouble most of the night and could only play 29 minutes.

Katelyn Andrea had 14 and Katie Ulakovic had 11 for Lakehead, who only managed to get seven minutes out of starting pivot Essa Jacobsen.

Guelph guard Dana Van Balkom led all scorers with 26 while Katelyn Yallin hit all six of her three-point attempts, half of the Gryphons 12 in the game, for an 18-point night.

The Gryphons finish the season at 8-11, out of the playoffs.