In Calgary, Queens roll to 75-48 win

In the first game of a weekend road trip, the Red Deer College Queens Basketball were in Calgary to face the Ambrose University Lions Friday evening. The Queens came into tonight's contest in sixth place in the ACAC Women's Basketball South Division while the Lions sat in eighth place. The RDC Queens have averaged 64.9 points per game while the Lions have scored 57.4 points.

Outscoring the Lions in every quarter, the Queens earned a 75-48 road victory.

RDC got off to a good start and outscored the Lions 24-15 in the first quarter. Kiana Mintz and Dedra Janvier tied for 7 points in the opening quarter for RDC. The Queens carried that momentum into the second quarter and added another 21 points compared to 14 by the Lions to extend their lead 45-29. Janvier, from Cold Lake, added another 8 points in the second quarter.

In the third quarter, the Queens outscored the Lions 18-15 to take a 63-44 lead into the final quarter. Brooke Kirkpatrick led the RDC Queens with 6 points in the third. Outscoring the Lions 12-4 in the final quarter, the Queens picked up the 75-48 win. Emily White picked up 4 points in the fourth quarter for RDC.

Kirkpatrick and Janvier tied for the Queens lead in total points with 15. Kirkpatrick, a Bachelor of Science student, added 1 steal, 7 rebounds and was 7-for-8 from the field. Along with her 15 points, Janvier contributed 2 assists, 1 rebound and hit 3-of-5 three point attempts.

Brooke Kirkpatrick was named the Queens player-of-the-game and had a breakout performance as a rookie.

Queens Head Coach Ken King appreciated how the defensive game sparked the offensive side tonight.

"Our defence was much stronger across the board today which fuelled our offence," said King.

The importance of playing with energy was discussed and the Queens delivered.

"Our quarters started stronger and our energy was better today which is good. We've talked a lot about energy and passion which is what we needed to break out of the slump we have been in," said King. "We know that we are the cause of our slump as a group but by focussing on our processes and energy that we can be the solution."

As a team, the RDC Queens hit 60.7% of their free throws, 31.6% of their shots from behind the three point arch and were 41.3% successful from the field.

With the victory, the RDC Queens move into a tie for fourth place in the ACAC Women's Basketball South Division with 6 points. The Queens travel further south to face the Lethbridge College Kodiaks Saturday, Nov. 26 at 6:00 p.m.