White and Queens defeat second place Rattlers by twenty-four

Brent Forster - RDC

The Red Deer College Basketball Queens faced the Medicine Hat College Rattlers Friday evening in the RDC Main Gym, and as the game progressed the Queens controlled both sides of the ball and earned a convincing 61-37 win. 

Emily White was a force for the Queens in the first quarter. After the Rattlers led 11-6, White sank the bucket while being fouled. The Management Certificate student connected on her free-throw to complete the 3 point play and bring RDC within a pair (11-9). The Rattlers went on a 7-3 run to finish the quarter 18-12. White finished with 9 points in the quarter. 

The RDC Queens chipped away at the Rattlers' lead in the second quarter. Madison Nimmo sank a free-throw with time winding down and at the half the Rattlers led 26-22. The Queens were strong on the boards and outrebounded the Rattlers 22-17 over 2 quarters.

After the Rattlers led 31-24 in the third quarter, the RDC Queens went on a 6-0 run. During that stretch, Emily White, Sandra Garcia-Bernal and Eva Bonde contributed to pull the Queens within 1 point (31-30). As the quarter progressed, the RDC Queens started to take over. White connected on 2 late free-throws to push the Queens ahead 40-35.

The Queens opened the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run to go ahead 48-35. Lauren Bailey hit a pair of free-throws to set the tone early. RDC continued to press offensively and they were sound defensively as they finalized a 61-37 victory.

Queens Basketball Head Coach Ken King was very impressed with the Queens' play in their own half of the court. "Defensively, we were just good. When we work and move our feet, we play awesome on defence. Medicine Hat is a great offensive team and we held them to two points in the fourth quarter," said King. "It's great that we came out better offensively in the second half, but defensively I'm so proud of the Queens for playing on that side of the floor and committing to it. It was a difference maker." 

Emily White was named the player-of-the-game for the Queens. The third-year forward totaled 15 points, 13 rebounds and 2 assists. Kennedy Werre received the award for the Rattlers. Werre contributed 11 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist.

"When Emily is feeling healthy - she's about 80% now which is about the best she's felt all season, she's one of the best players in the league," said King. "When she shows up like she did today she can easily put up those numbers."

The Queens had good ball movement and connected on many opportunities down low. Emily White and Mary Krause were key contributors right around the basket. "Emily and Mary are really starting to develop chemistry. We know that Mary has been consistent for us all season and she's having a great year," said King. "Now that Emily is healthier and they are playing together, we see an increased performance from the duo." Krause accumulated 11 points, 2 assists and 4 rebounds. 

King has been pleased with the defence for most of the season but likes the progression of the offence. "We've committed to defence since September," said King. "We talk about it every day in detail and we've been waiting for the offence to come around. There's definitely been improvement the past few games." 

The RDC Queens shot 46.4% from the field. The Medicine Hat College Rattlers hit 28.3% of their field goals. Over 4 quarters, the Queens finished with 43 rebounds. The Rattlers picked up 34.

The fifth place Red Deer College Queens (7-7) will host the second place Medicine Hat College Rattlers (11-4) Saturday, February 3 at 1:00 p.m. in a rematch.