Falcons Secure Spot in National Championship Game

(London, ON) – The Falcons women's basketball team played its national semi-final game against the host Dawson College Blues of the CCAA's RSEQ Conference, based out of Quebec. Rising to the challenge, the Falcons knocked off the host Blues 89-78 to advance to the National Championship game. Falcons forward Ashlyn Anderson (Latchford, ON) delivered a historically dominant performance, finishing the game with a 31-point, 26-rebound and 10-block triple-double. By advancing to the final, the Falcons have secured the first CCAA podium finish in women's basketball program history.

It was a struggle initially for Fanshawe against an aggressive Dawson team that had a clear formula for success: pressure the ball on defence and let it fly on offence. The Blues forced nine steals in the opening frame and attempted 14 three-pointers, setting the tone for how they would attack the Falcons on both sides of the ball. Dawson's uniquely aggressive playstyle delivered an early haymaker to Fanshawe as the Blues closed the opening frame up 25-13.

In the second quarter, the Falcons adjusted and began to find their stride. Dawson's shooters cooled off and the Falcons capitalized on a number of missed shots, turning them into transition buckets. Edith Eseme (Milton, ON) had an offensive explosion in the back half of the quarter, as she picked up 12 points on 5-for-6 shooting in only seven minutes of play in the second. This outburst included her own personal 8-0 run that saw her finish an and-one layup and drill a corner three in transition. Fanshawe shot an uber-efficient 9-for-14 from the field in the frame, scoring 23 points to close the gap to just one point at halftime, with Dawson leading 37-36.

Both teams came out of the half with their A-game, as neither side could pull away from the other. Dawson continued its three-point barrage with mixed results while the Falcons focused on punishing mismatches inside. This is when Anderson began to take the game over, as the Blues simply did not have an answer for her 6'3" frame and incredible touch in the post. Anderson picked up eight points in the quarter while the Falcons continued their efficient offence, shooting 8-for-14 in the third. Despite this, the Falcons still trailed by two, 57-55, heading into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter was as dramatic as it gets. The Falcons continued to lean on Anderson with success, as she had 10 points in the fourth. Karyn TeBrake (Ottawa, ON) was a consistent performer all night and delivered six points and three steals in the fourth, including a clutch three-pointer that gave Fanshawe the lead late. However, with 40 seconds remaining, Dawson tied the game with a big-time three-point shot by Aya El-Ouali. The teams then traded late free throws to find the game even at the end of regulation, 76-76, forcing overtime.

In overtime, the Falcons simply shut down Dawson. Anderson put her final stamp on her legendary performance, collecting four blocks in the overtime period to give her 10 on the game and complete the triple-double. Fanshawe outscored the Blues 13-2 in overtime to win the game and clinch its spot in the CCAA National Championship game. While Anderson was the driving force, the entire team stepped up in the semi-final as four players scored in double figures and the team assisted on 24 of its 34 made field goals, including nine assists from Sidney Deleary (Chippewa of the Thames).

The National Championship game is now set for Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m., where the Falcons will take on the VIU Mariners, champions of the CCAA PAC-WEST Conference. The Mariners were ranked third nationally heading into the tournament and defeated the fifth-ranked St. Thomas Tommies 56-41 in the quarter-final and the fourth-ranked Géants de Saint-Jean 62-56 in the semi-final. The Mariners head into the final sporting an 11-game win streak that dates back to January 24, 2026. Fanshawe will surely look to attack the glass, where it should have the advantage after finishing as one of the top rebounding teams in the OCAA, while VIU ranked toward the bottom of the PAC-WEST in that category. Where the Mariners will be a tough out is their deep rotation and depth of scoring options throughout the lineup.

Fanshawe Athletics will be hosting a live viewing of the National Championship game inside Fanshawe's Forwell Hall, with all patrons welcome to come cheer on the Falcons!

Streaming options for the game can be found at ccaalive.ca.

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