Basketball Queens defeat Broncos 82-72

The Red Deer College Queens Basketball team wanted to start quickly against the Olds College Broncos and did just that, opening up a 5-0 run. The first half was close but Queens showed persistence and began to pull away in the second half to pick up a 82-72 victory.

It was a back and forth opening quarter. The Queens extended their lead 15-9 but the Broncos pushed back to narrow the gap. After the first quarter the teams were tied at 19.

The RDC Queens opened the second quarter with 8 straight points to lead 27-19. Broncos Head Coach Patrick Havard called a time-out when the Queens led 31-21 and it seemed to spark Olds College. The Broncos went on a 16-3 run and at the half led 37-34.

The Queens started quickly in the third quarter and took a 43-39 lead. In three straight possessions the Queens drained all of their three point attempts. Dedra Janvier put the Queens up 46-42 with a three pointer and then on RDC's next two possessions Eva Bonde hit two in a row from behind the three point arch to put the Queens up 52-45. After three quarters the Queens led 63-54.

The RDC Queens carried on with their momentum built from a strong third quarter with an 8-2 run extending their lead 71-56. The Queens continued to push forward and the game ended 82-72 in favour of the Queens.

Queens Head Coach Ken King was pleased with the push back when RDC got behind.

"Coming from behind is a good lesson learned," said King. "I'm hoping that the formula that we're working with is that tough games in November will help us in those games in March."

King liked how the Queens started the second half with a high level of intensity.

"We put an emphasis on it this week," said King. "We worked on it in specific ways in practice, just coming out of breaks. We stopped practice in the middle of drills to refocus and it showed quite well in the third quarter."

Kiana Mintz was chosen as the Queens player-of-the-game. The Bachelor of Education student contributed 22 points, 3 steals and 9 rebounds. As a team the RDC Queens totalled 38 rebounds and 15 steals.

The Queens next play Saturday, Nov. 5 at the RDC Main Gym against the St. Mary's University Lightning at 6:00 p.m.