This Saturday, the Waterloo Warriors hosted the Bishop's Gaiters from Sherbrooke, Quebec, in an intense pre-season match up on the Carl Totzke court. The Warriors entered the game fresh off a 57-50 victory over the Humber Hawks last Thursday, eager to build on their momentum. Last season, the Warriors boasted a strong 15-7 record, while the Gaiters also proved themselves with a 9-7 finish.

The Warriors came out of the gate fast, dominating in rebounds and showcasing quick ball movement. Their energy on offense was led by Nehita Oko-Oboh (Ottawa) who converted offensive rebounds into points. By the end of the first quarter, Waterloo led 15-10, bolstered by a commanding 13-5 rebounding advantage.

Warriors first-year Kymora Stafford (Toronto) made a significant impact in the second quarter, scoring from all areas of the court and securing pivotal rebounds. Stafford's hustle on both ends of the floor helped fuel Waterloo's lead, as their high-energy defense forced the Gaiters into several fast turnovers. However, as the quarter progressed, the Gaiters clawed their way back into the contest, narrowing the gap heading into halftime. The Warriors held on to a slim 26-24 lead, while maintaining their rebounding edge at 22-14.

The third quarter opened with Stafford again making her presence felt, sinking a jump shot from in the key. The quarter quickly turned into a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading baskets and possessions. In the final four minutes of play, Oko-Oboh stepped up with a massive block in the paint, shutting down a scoring opportunity. Oko-Oboh followed up with another big block in the closing minute of play energizing the home crowd. By the end of the quarter, Waterloo had expanded their lead to 42-33, and continued to dominate rebounds with a 34-22 advantage.

The Warriors maintained their momentum into the fourth quarter. With five minutes remaining, Yemi Oladipo (St. Catharines) made a key steal and sprinted up the court on a solo rush, finishing with a layup to expand the lead. In the final moments, the Warriors locked in their victory with a perfect passing sequence between Alliasen Miscione (Hamilton) and Mya Jickling (Regina), which led to the solidifying points of the game.

Waterloo secured the 64-52 win, along with a dominant 42-27 rebounding performance, sending a strong message as they head into the rest of the pre-season. Up next, the Warriors are traveling east to Nova Scotia for an exhibition weekend hosted at Acadia University.