The third-place Guelph Gryphons and second-place McMaster Marauders hook up for an OUA West semi-final matchup this Saturday at Burridge Gym in Hamilton at 7 p.m. The other semi-final pits the fifth-seeded Laurier Golden Hawks against the top-ranked Brock Badgers.

McMaster has won both games against the Gryphons this season, however, both contests have been tough, physical games that could have gone either way.

More than two months ago, in early December, Guelph traveled to Hamilton to face Mac and lost 50-45 in a forgettable matchup. The Marauders shot 31.5% from the floor, 28.6% from three-point land, and 57.1% from the line.

Meanwhile, Guelph shot 27.1%, 7.1%, and 48.0% from the field, three-point line, and free throw line, respectively. There were 57 offensive rebounds and 30 turnovers in the game.

Chiara Rocca was one of three players to reach double digits in scoring that day, and was the only one of those three to shoot over 50% from the field. She finished the day with 18 points, 17 rebounds (8 offensive) and three blocks while making seven of 12 shots. Veteran Gryphon point guard Stephanie Yallin had 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals to lead Guelph.

A little over three weeks ago, Mac travelled up Highway 6 to the W.F. Mitchell Auditorium to play the Gryphons. After a very typical game between these two teams–close, exciting, and physical–the Marauders came away winners 55-51. The game was a bit of a turning point for the Marauders as it was a game where they relied on their youngsters–namely rookies Taylor Smith and Amanda D'ortenzio–just as much as their established veterans down the stretch. D'ortenzio in particular had a huge impact on the game, as she made a couple baseline jumpers down the stretch, and sank free throws to make it a two-possession game with only seven seconds remaining.

Three-time OUA West Coach of the Year Angela Orton will lead what is always a tough, defensive-minded Gryphon team into battle on Saturday. The team is led by third-year point guard Yallin, who finished the year averaging 11.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game while leading the team in minutes played (32.1/game). Yallin turned that outstanding season into an OUA West first-team all-star selection, her first ever.

Meanwhile, McMaster is led by Chiara Rocca. The 6'1″ third-year centre from Sarnia, ON is leading the team in points (14.6), rebounds (8.8), offensive rebounds (3.4), blocks (1.5), and field goal percentage (48.0%). Rocca converted her great year into a first-team all-star selection and was named OUA West Defensive Player of the Year.

Guelph plays perhaps the most physical defence in the league, especially on Rocca in the post, frequently double- and triple-teaming her. Therefore, if Mac hopes to tread through this playoff game with a victory in hand, the team will need other contributors to step up. Rookie Taylor Smith had an outstanding season, averaging 9.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. She was named to the all-rookie team and was a second-team all-star in the OUA West.

Expect third-year guard Deanna Hollinger to be on the floor for much of the game as well. Playing in the shadow of Rocca and Smith, Hollinger is quietly leading the team in minutes played (34.6/game), while averaging 6.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.8 steals. Her 1.6-1 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks her third in the OUA.

Coverage of Saturday's game can be heard on 93.3 FM CFMU or online at http://cfmu.mcmaster.ca.