Breaking down the teams competing for U Sports women’s basketball crown

TORONTO – A look at the eight teams competing in the U Sports women’s basketball championship Thursday through Sunday at Ryerson University in Toronto:

No. 1 LAVAL ROUGE ET OR

Overall record: 17-1

National title history: No championships

Scoring leader: Jane Gagne (15.4 points per game)

The skinny: Fell just short of an unbeaten record, losing final game of season to McGill before winning Quebec title … Won silver at 2019 nationals.

No. 2 McMASTER MARAUDERS

Overall record: 24-3

National title history: No championships

Scoring leader: Sarah Gates (17.1)

The skinny: Upset host Ottawa in Ontario final … Seniors Linnaea Harper and Hilary Hanaka both hit 1,000-point mark this season.

No. 3 SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES

Overall record: 21-4

National title history: One (2016)

Scoring leader: Sabine Dukate (15.6)

The skinny: In national championship tournament for sixth year in a row after capturing Canada West conference title … Coached by national women’s team coach Lisa Thomaidis.

No. 4 OTTAWA GEE-GEES

Overall record: 23-3

National title history: No championships

Scoring leader: Brigitte Lefebvre-Okankwu (14.0)

The skinny: Won 10 in a row after losing season opener to Carleton … Best finish at nationals was third in 2012 in Calgary.

No. 5 REGINA COUGARS

Overall record: 21-4

National title history: One (2001)

Scoring leader: Kyanna Giles (18.4)

The skinny: Canada West finalists led country in rebounds and blocks … Captured bronze at last year’s nationals in Regina.

No. 6 ACADIA AXEWOMEN

Overall record: 16-7

National title history: No championships

Scoring leader: Haley McDonald (23.3)

The skinny: Captured Atlantic title after dropping final four games of regular season … McDonald set team record for points in a single season this year.

No. 7 CONCORDIA STINGERS

Overall record: 11-7

National title history: No championships

Scoring leader: Myriam Leclerc (18.8)

The skinny: Earned at-large berth after dropping Quebec final … Making first appearance at nationals since 1999 … Leclerc was Quebec rookie of the year.

No. 8 RYERSON RAMS

Overall record: 18-7

National title history: No championships

Scoring leader: Sofia Paska (13.3)

The skinny: Opened campaign with nine consecutive wins, but lost last two of regular season and dropped second-round playoff game to Carleton … Three players, including Paska, remain from 2017 team that finished second at nationals.