The dream of playing in the national tournament will have to wait another year for the McMaster women's basketball team as it dropped a 56-42 contest to the host Ottawa Gee-Gees at the OUA Final-Four on Friday night.

It was a defensive battle from the outset as both teams struggled with their offensive game.  The halftime score saw Ottawa in front 19-13, which was indicative of the scoring issues.  McMaster, which was third in the CIS in field-goal percentage, shot only 17% from the floor in the first half and scored only four points in the second quarter.

With scoring at a premium, the Gee-Gees took advantage of their size advantage to control the boards and slowly build up the lead.  The Marauders defended well overall, but gave up some second-chance opportunities that hurt and could not find their collective shooting eye. 

McMaster ended up shooting just 23% from the floor for the game, while Ottawa shot an equally chilly 29%.   Ottawa won the rebounding battle 50-38.

Danielle Boiago shook off a slow start and finished with 19 to lead the Marauders, while Ottawa got a big game from Catherine Traer, who scored 25, and a double-double effort from Kellie Ring, who scored 12 and grabbed 13 boards.

While the Nationals will have to wait, the Marauders will try to regroup and play Windsor for the OUA bronze medal at 6 p.m. on Saturday.  Ryerson beat the Lancers 79-62 in the other semi-final, and will play Ottawa for the OUA Championship at 8 p.m.

Their semi-final wins mean both Ottawa and Ryerson have qualified for the CIS Final-8 tournament next week in New Brunswick.