Women's Basketball: Challenging road to playoffs ahead

Jon Kreiner’s team has a tough road ahead to the playoffs.

Faced with the unenviable task this weekend of hosting the No. 1 team in the nation and owning a slim one-game advantage for the last post-season berth in the OUA West, one can’t blame the Lakehead Thunderwolves for eying next weekend’s trip to McMaster.

The Wolves, who split on the road last weekend in Guelph, are likely going to have to find at least one win in their final four regular-season contests if they’re going to make the playoffs.

Even if they don’t managed it this weekend when the Windsor Lancers arrive at the Thunderdome, the series is all about putting an end to bad habits, Kreiner said.

“Windsor is the No. 1 team in the country, they’re undefeated in our league play and the defending national champions the past couple of years," Kreiner said. “The opportunity is there to go out and knock off a giant and be the first to do it.

“I think that has to be one of our goals, to play the best we can and win a game, get better from one night to the other.”

Kreiner said the Thunderwolves (7-10) proved last Saturday it can battle back from adversity, rebounding from a 24-point Friday loss to Guelph to claim victory 24 hours later.

“I thought our team really responded and found a way to put that game aside, play desperated and play without being afraid to lose,”Kreiner said on Tuesday.

“And that’s what we were on Friday.”

And it will take a pretty dramatic effort to down the Lancers (17-0), home-court advantage or not.
But games are won on the court and not in the standings, he said, which means they’ve always got a chance.

“Windsor’s has a strong rebounding presence and inside game.So we’ve got to be ready to defend that and bring energy on the boards. That’s got to be our two main goals,”Kreiner said.

Beyond the arc: Saturday night’s game is senior night, where graduating stars Carolyn Fragale, the team’s athlete of the month for January, will be honoured.