The Ryerson Rams Women’s basketball team opens their 2019-20 season tonight against the York University Lions at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. With a new season, let’s look at what’s in store for the team for the games to come.
Last season, the Rams won 17 of 23 regular season games and ranked third in OUA East. In the Critelli Cup playoffs during the 2019 U SPORTS Final 8 on home court, they defeated the Laurentian Voyagers 85-40 in the first round. Their run was cut short by the Carleton Ravens in the quarter finals. T
The Rams opted to earn their spot in the championship instead of keep the one they already had but sadly, it didn’t work out in their favour. Although they were out of the running for the cup, Ryerson had another game to play against Laval Rouge et Or. They didn’t come out on top after that game as they lost 73-51. Despite their losses, the Rams didn’t lose hope and won their semifinal and final consolation games, earning themselves fifth place in the championship.
With the start of the new season, we’ll be seeing new faces on the court. Four guard players, Taite Cleland, Sarai Bailey, Ayden Kristmanson and Kyia Giles, as well as a forward player, Chelsea Arruda, are joining the team as part of the recruiting class Returning players include Hayley Robertson, who scored 21 points in the 2019 U Sports Final 8, and Brownyn Williams, who scored 20 points in the trio games she played during Final 8.
The Rams had their first preseason game on October 5th and scored a victory over the Victoria Vikes with a 90-83 win. They’ve had a total of 6 games and have won 5, only losing their last game by 3 points against the Saskatchewan Huskies. Things are looking up for the Rams and it is clear that they are hungry for a victory. They’re ready to redeem themselves after last season and want everyone to know that.
Looking at tonight’s game, the Rams have quite the history against the Lions. They had their first game during the 2004-05 season and they were a tough match-up for the Rams. After defeating them in every game until the 2008-09 season, the Rams finally earned their first victory and put an end to their losing streak. Over the next 10 seasons, the Rams would go on to win 20 of 35 games; bringing them to a total of 21 wins and 14 losses against the Lions. The last time the two teams met, February 15 2019, the Lions defeated the Rams 72-69.
Coming off a preseason high, the Rams are hoping to continue their redemption and avoid repeating the results from the last time they met the Lions.