KINGSTON, Ont. (December 3, 2016) - Robyn Pearson entered the top 10 in OUA all-time rebounding, and the U Sports No. 6 ranked Queen's Gaels women's basketball team maintain its unblemished conference record heading into the holiday break, defeating the Algoma Thunderbirds 73-33 on Saturday evening at the Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC). The Gaels are now the only OUA squad yet to lose a game this season.
 
Pearson picked up a double-double, draining 11 points and bringing down a game-high 11 rebounds, moving past Renata Adamczyk and into 10th place on the all-time OUA conference rebounding list.
 
Veronika Lavergne (Kingston) dropped a game-high 14 rebounds and added seven assists, while Emily Hazlett added 10 points and six assists for the Gaels (6-0), who remain undefeated in conference play. The Thunderbirds (1-7) were led by Carriera Lamoureux, who picked up eight points and six rebounds in a losing cause.  
 

MUST SEE - Pearson with the rare three!! Gaels are in front of Algoma at half watch it on https://t.co/9xTOznwjCF #GoGaelsGo pic.twitter.com/98QBqetWXY

— #ChaGheill (@queensgaels) December 3, 2016

GAME FLOW
The Gaels used four different scorers to jump out to an early 8-2 lead in the early portion of the first, but then missed their next six shots. The Thunderbirds responded with a 7-0 run that included consecutive three-point buckets by Karina Cole to give the guests a one-point lead.
 
A running lay-up by Hazlett (Fredericton, N.B.) was followed by a post-up by Lavergne gave the hosts a 16-12 lead at the end of an opening quarter where the teams combined to commit 11 turnovers.
 
The Gaels clamped down on the Thunderbirds offence in the second, as the visitors did not notch their first points just over the halfway mark of the period. Algoma went nearly nine minutes between baskets spreading back to the first quarter.
 
Meanwhile, a rare three-pointer from the veteran post Pearson (Toronto) gave the Gaels a nine-point lead. Marianne Alarie (Sudbury, Ont.) notched a three late in the half, and the hosts held the Thunderbirds to five points in the period to go into the half-time break with a 30-17 advantage.
 
Queen's spread the lead to 19 within the first three minutes of the third quarter, as Abby Dixon (North Vancouver, B.C.) hit a three-point bucket, which was followed by a lay-up and made foul shot from Lavergne. Pearson picked up a rebound, and put-back soon after to push the lead up to 21. The hosts led by 26 after three quarters.
 
The Gaels slowly built the lead against a Thunderbird squad that only had eight players dressed for Saturday evening's contest, allowing Coach Dave Wilson to take his starters out of the contest with over six minutes remaining in regulation.
 
The women end the fall portion of their schedule atop the OUA East division, and enter the holiday break as the only undefeated squad in the conference after the McMaster Marauders lost to Carleton on Saturday night.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
738- Robyn Pearson's career total in rebounds
23- The number of rebounds Pearson needs to move into ninth place on the all-time list
42.1%- The Gaels three-point field goal percentage (8-19), their second highest of the season and well above their season average (31.9%)
 
FINAL SAY
Dave Wilson On the victory: "We started a bit slow but once we turned up the intensity on defence that made all the difference in the world."
 
On Robyn Pearson entering the OUA's top ten in all-time rebounding: "Robyn is the quintessential rebounder. She led the country in rebounding last season. She has a great knack for pursuing the basketball and it's one of the things she does extremely well, and enjoys doing it!"
 
On the first half of the season: "We are obviously pleased with being 6-0, but will still focus on improving those things that are going to make us better. We also have a tougher schedule in the winter term and are playing some of the more top teams in the conference, but I am happy with where we are right now."
 
UP NEXT
The women head to Halifax, N.S. from December 28 to 30 for the Thunder Selects Holiday Classic, which is hosted by Saint Mary's.
 
Queen's returns to conference action on January 6 and 7, when they hit the road to take on the Western Mustangs and Windsor Lancers respectively.
 The Gaels resume their home schedule the following weekend, hosting Ryerson and Toronto at the ARC.