In the bronze medal match of the 2024 CCAA Women’s Basketball National Championships, the Champlain Saint-Lambert Cavaliers secured a 66-55 victory over les Géants de Saint-Jean. Hosted by Lakeland College in Lloydminster, Alberta, both teams from the RSEQ conference faced each other for the fifth time that year.
The Cavaliers started strong with an 11-0 run in the first quarter, but Saint-Jean responded, taking a four-point lead into halftime at 28-24. However, the Cavaliers dominated the third quarter, outscoring their opponents 25-10, allowing them to maintain an 11-point lead throughout the fourth quarter for the win.
Key players and graduating student-athletes Candice Lienafa, Caitlin Frost, and Denae Skelton led the Cavaliers to victory. Lienafa, with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, was named Player of the Game. Frost’s 20 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals in the bronze final, as well as her play throughout the championship, earned her a spot as a 1st Team All-Star. In addition, Denae Skelton’s performance over the four games of the championship, as well as her 16 points and 4 assists against St-Jean, earned her a spot as a 2nd Team All-Star.
With this appearance, the Cavaliers have been to 3 CCAA National Championships – in 2014 when Champlain hosted (7th place), in 2022 where the team finished in 4th place and this year. It is the first time that the Cavaliers have medaled at a national championship and demonstrates the continued growth of the program as it continues to make its mark in the RSEQ and the CCAA.
“Winning this first-ever national medal is a testament to the ladies’ hard work, dedication, and talent,” said Head Coach Georges Germanos. “This accomplishment will surely inspire the future class of student-athletes and leave a lasting legacy for the program and the school.”
Congratulations to the student-athletes, Coach Germanos and his staff, and everyone who contributed to the program’s success this season!
