Badgers women topple Ryerson in home opener
No one was enjoying Brock’s first win over the Ryerson Rams in six years more than fifth-year point guard Missy Tatti.
The joy on the face of the 23-year-old Ancaster resident was obvious Saturday as she basked in the afterglow of a 68-58 victory by the Brock women’s basketball team.
“It’s so sweet and it feels so surreal,” the 5-foot-4 dynamo said. “We have been working so hard and more than half our team stayed here all summer working so hard.”
The Badgers looked sharp the entire game.
“We had a super tough week because we lost a couple of family members — I guess you could put it — but we got stronger, we really came together and we channelled our anger to get this win.”
During the game, Tatti could be seen looking up into the crowd and thoroughly enjoying the start of what will be her final go around at Brock.
“It’s my last home opener and I was trying to soak it all in the best I could and to come out with a win was super sweet,” the social sciences student said.
The 2018-19 Second Team Ontario University Athletics All-Star feels her team is poised to make her final season a memorable one.
“This is incredible,” she said. “Every year we have been building and we are finally here,” Tatti said. “I feel like we have a powerhouse right now and we’ve really come together and that showed in the way we played tonight. If we can play like this, nobody can beat us.”
And nobody can beat the playing time logged by Tatti. Before the season, Brock head coach Mike Rao said he hoped to somewhat limit the minutes of his star guard played but she didn’t come off the floor Saturday night.
“You can ask him about that, but I don’t usually come off,” she said, with a laugh. “I don’t mind not coming off. I love being the floor general, directing things and making things run smoothly.”
And Tatti doesn’t feel the necessity to lead her team in scoring.
“I think we had five players over 10 points tonight and that’s how you win as a team.”
Although a little sweaty and red in the face after the game, it looked like Tatti could have played another 40 minutes.
“I feel fine,” she said. “I have always played heavy minutes and I have gotten used to using my engine when I need to.”
She has one goal in mind this season.
“I want to win,” Tatti said. “I want to go out with a bang. This year is for real and we are here to win.”
Rao laughed when asked about his suggestion he would limit Tatti’s minutes this season.
“It didn’t work but we had to leave her out there,” he said. “I needed some consistency and she is just so good. She is the glue.”
Ryerson threw lots of double teams at Tatti and Brock was able to take some of the heat off of her by having Kristen Gallant, Jess Morris and Sam Keltos bring up the ball.
Rao also enjoyed the performance of Eden Ferraro, who scored 10 of her 12 points in the first quarter.
“It is surprising, isn’t it?” he said. “She has come a long way, she has worked hard and she deserved the start.”
STAT PACK
Badgers 68 Rams 58
BPSN Player of the Game: Brock’s Missy Tatti with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists.
For the Brock Badgers: Tatti 15; Jess Morris and Eden Ferraro 12; Kristen Gallant 11; Sam Keltos 10.
For the Ryerson Rams: Marin Scotten 11; Jama Bid-Edward and Stefanija Mrvaljevic 10
Games stats: Field goal percentage: Brock 31.1, Ryerson 30.8. Free throws: Brock 16-20, Ryerson 12-14. Rebounds: Brock 40, Ryerson 40. Turnovers: Brock 12, Ryerson 17.
