Nimmo contributes fifteen points, but Lightning pick up home win

Brent Forster - RDC

In their season opener on Saturday, the Red Deer College Queens Basketball team faced the St. Mary's University Lightning in Calgary. After the Lightning led by 8 at the half, the Queens tried to battle back with a strong fourth quarter but St. Mary's won 67-55.

The Lightning started well on their home court and led 29-21 at the half. Over 2 quarters, Madison Nimmo contributed 7 points and 5 rebounds for the Queens.

The RDC Queens outscored the St. Mary's Lightning 19-13 in the fourth quarter but it wasn't quite enough. The Lightning picked up a 67-55 home win. Madison Nimmo led the Queens with 15 points over 4 quarters. The second-year guard from Red Deer added 2 steals, 6 rebounds and hit 6-of-14 shots from the field. Emily White contributed 13 points, 1 block, 2 assists and an impressive 12 rebounds. Eva Bonde stacked up 9 points, 1 block, 2 steals and 5 rebounds. Lauren Bailey and Sandra Garcia-Bernal each scored 5 points. 

Queens Basketball Head Coach Ken King liked Nimmo's game. "Madison had some good looks today and she played well," said King. "She seemed to be in the right spot at the right time."

Despite some good performances, the RDC Queens feel that they can play better. "We didn't play as well as we did in the preseason," said King. "We won in several categories tonight - field goal percentage, rebounds and assists, but overall we didn't seem to have enough energy."

Over 4 quarters, the Queens connected on 34.5% of their field goal attempts and 33.3% of their shots from behind the three-point arc. The RDC Queens were strong around the basket and outscored the Lightning 26-16 in the paint.

The Red Deer College Queens (0-1) will host the SAIT Trojans (1-0) on Saturday, October 28 at 6:00 p.m. in the RDC Main Gym.