In rematch, Kodiaks over Queens

Saturday, the Red Deer College Queens Basketball team wanted to come out of the gate more quickly and they did just that. The Queens kept the game close for 3 quarters but the Kodiaks hit several shots from long distance in the final quarter and eventually won 66-50.

It was a back-and-forth opening quarter and the Queens matched the play of the South Division leading Kodiaks. RDC moved the ball effectively. Lauren Bailey hit a 3-pointer with time winding down to put the Queens up 17-16 after the 1st quarter. Dedra Janvier led the Queens with 6 points. Emily White and Mary Krause each had 2 rebounds for RDC. The RDC Queens hit 4-of-7 shots from behind the 3-point-arch. Logan Moncks had 13 points for the Kodiaks. 

In another close quarter, the Lethbridge College Kodiaks outscored the RDC Queens 10-8 and at the half, the Kodiaks led 26-25. Over 2 quarters, Janvier accumulated 11 points for RDC. As a team, the Queens had 17 rebounds. Logan Moncks had 15 points for Lethbridge College.

In the 3rd quarter, Lethbridge College outscored RDC 11-10 and the Kodiaks led 37-35. Janvier had a total of 13 points for the Queens while Moncks led the Kodiaks with 17. As a team, the Queens had 20 defensive rebounds. For RDC, Eva Bonde contributed 7 rebounds over 3 quarters.

The Kodiaks hit several long distance shots in the 4th quarter and started to pull away. The Lethbridge College Kodiaks outscored the RDC Queens 29-15 and won 66-50. 

Lauren Bailey was named the Queens player-of-the-game. The guard from Okotoks worked hard, contributed 10 points, 1 steal and 2 rebounds.

Queens Head Coach Ken King was pleased with the effort against a top opponent.

"We knew that Lethbridge College would turn up the pressure and they aren't used to playing in a close game for 3 quarters," said King. "Our student-athletes played a great game. It is how we show up, our focus and what we do on the defensive end that makes a difference."

Competing with a top ranked team gives the RDC Queens confidence moving forward.

"When we show up with focus, play as a unit, play defence with passion and energy we can hang with the ranked teams," said King. "When we show up with the right attitude, energy and play together we can hang with really good teams. We can look good and perform well against them. As we move forward, we have to look at ways to show up consistently."

The Queens are currently only 4 points out of a playoff position.

Next weekend, the RDC Queens (5-10) travel to Saskatchewan to face the Briercrest College Clippers (3-10) in a 2 game set. Friday, Feb. 3 the Clippers host the Queens at 6:00 p.m. The same teams face each other Saturday at 1:00 p.m.