Basketball Queens defeat Lightning 68-58

A week ago the St. Mary's University Lightning defeated the Red Deer College Queens Basketball team but a lot can change in a week. The RDC Queens worked hard, showed heart and defeated St. Mary's University 68-58.

The Queens came out quickly in the opening quarter to take an early lead. The Lightning tried to push back but after the first quarter the Queens led 13-9.

To start the second quarter Emily White nailed a three pointer and on the Queens next possession Eva Bonde followed suit from behind the three point arch to extend the Queens lead to 19-11. The RDC Queens continued to play well and held a 17 point lead at half, 35-18.

One area that the Queens have been working on is to start each quarter well and they did a nice job once again in the third quarter. As the quarter progressed, Dedra Janvier drained a three pointer to extend the RDC Queens lead to 46-27. The Lightning reduced the lead but at the end of the third quarter the Queens led 52-39.

The Lightning tried to rally in the fourth quarter narrowing the gap to 5 points, but the Queens still led 60-55. The Queens showed resiliency and completed the 68-58 victory.

Queens Head Coach Ken King thought it was a solid team effort.

"We did a lot of things for each other tonight," said King. "The Lightning gave us some scares when we got a little bit selfish, but when we were playing for the team we did a really good job."

St. Mary's tried to rally but the Queens remained calm.

"The student-athletes did a good job staying focussed and we looked pretty poised for being up against a team of St. Mary's calibre," said King. "The players on the floor did a good job of taking what was given. When they got within five points we made some solid defensive plays that we needed to make and played with poise."

Emily White was named the Queens player-of-the-game. The student-athlete from Horsens, Denmark contributed 21 points, 4 steals, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks  and 3 assists during her 26 minutes on the court. 

King was pleased with the play of the Management Certificate student. 

"Emily really showed the experience that she has and she's been feeling sick the past few weeks," said King. "It put her in a tough spot conditioning wise, even last night, but today she was feeling better and it showed."

As a team the RDC Queens accumulated 2 blocks, 15 steals, 15 assists and 40 rebounds.

The Queens sit tied for top spot in the ACAC Women's Basketball South Division with 4 points (2-1) and next face the SAIT Trojans in Calgary Friday, Nov. 11 at 6:00 p.m.