Women's basketball open's season with win over Conestoga

By: Nina Kersnik
Humber Athletics Communications

ETOBICOKE – Humber women's basketball (1-0, 2nd West) opened the 2025 campaign with a win against the Conestoga Condors (1-1, 4th West) on Wednesday evening, 75-67. Sarah Baptie stood out for the Hawks, recording a team-high 16 points to go along with five rebounds. Transfer Eremwon Destiny added 12 points of her own, while shooting 50 per cent (four-for-eight) from the floor.

Game Recap

Coming into today's game, the Hawks were forced to find a new image with the graduation of alumna Kia Watt after five years with the program.

That didn't prove to be a problem as the Hawks delivered when Marley Bonnick forced an early turnover that allowed veteran Sarah Baptie to make a shot inside the paint for the first points on home court.

Both sides kept a tight first quarter, with Conestoga pressuring the Hawks early to take its first lead with 3:57 on the clock. Eventually, Humber fought back, with Sarah Baptie and second-year point guard Carina Wynter-Josephs among many players who helped bring the home team within two. But Bonnick proved to be the star of the first, as she drove into the paint to score a basket and put the Hawks up by two with just over a minute left. The Brampton native was the only player on the floor to earn five points heading into the second.

However, as the seconds dwindled to the buzzer, Conestoga's Ella Schumacher launched one from the base of the arc. This play sent Humber's defence scrambling for the Condor's seventh basket of the first quarter.

At the end of the first ten minutes, the Hawks found themselves down by one, 18-17.

For a comeback, Humber turned on the jets in the second half and came out strong defensively, blocking the many chances by Conestoga. Baptie then got the offence going for Humber as she drove up the middle of the paint, through the Condors' defenders, to guide the ball off the glass and in with 7:23 left on the clock. The Mississauga native was 8-18 on the hardwood in today's match, and ranks sixth in the conference in field goals. As time went on, both sides would create more chances, but Humber would end up on top at halftime with a score of 33-30.

To start the second half, both ends of the court would keep a tight score through five minutes. But Sarah Baptie would come in clutch to tie it up at 38 for Humber with a drive into the paint off a throw-in from fourth-year Marian Martin. Soon after, Conestoga called a timeout to regroup, which gave them a few baskets. But that would not stop Humber's offence, which took a 56-42 lead thanks to third-year Beverly Omere, who launched one from downtown to close out the third.

For the last ten minutes of play, Humber would continue that momentum to score seven baskets, increasing their lead to sixteen. As time slowly ticked away, the Condors tried their hardest to catch up, but the Hawks would prove to be too much, as Marley Bonnick made a layup with vast open space on the other end with seventeen seconds left on the clock. The 2025 CCAA All-Academic Canadian would account for the home team's five of 28 rebounds, and rack up 10 points by the end of the game.

At the buzzer, Humber would capture a hard-fought 75-67 victory to slam the door shut on Conestoga.

Humber's Sarah Baptie earned Player of the Game due to her contributions in the match.

Humber Highlights

• The Hawks improve to a perfect 27-0 all-time against the Condors
• Humber struggled from deep, finishing two-for-25 (8.0 per cent) from beyond the arc.
• Humber's Sarah Baptie ranks fourth in the conference with six steals.
• Five players finish with double-digit scoring.
• Humber's Eremwon Destiny and Marley Bonnick tie for the top with five rebounds per game.

What's Next?

The Hawks return to the Nest on Oct. 29 to face the Niagara Knights (0-1, 9^th West). Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be streamed live on the Hawks Sports Network.