Cardinal shines but Lightning capture home win with strong second half

Brent Forster - RDC

Calgary, AB - The Red Deer College Queens and St. Mary's University Lightning were even at the half, but the Lightning's offence gained momentum in the final two quarters, helping the home team earn an 81-58 decision. 

The Lightning used the energy from the home crowd and jumped out to a 24-15 lead in the first quarter, but the Queens bounced back with a strong second. With the help of 4 points in the quarter from Lauren Cardinal, the RDC team outscored St. Mary's 19-10 in the second to even the contest 34-34 at the half. 

On the strength of Emily Wagner's 19 points in the latter two quarters, the Lightning put up 47 points and finalized an 81-58 win. 

Lauren Cardinal led the way offensively for the Queens with 15 points. The five-foot-ten forward from St. Albert added 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Jessie Handley scored 10 points. Sandra Garcia-Bernal continued her dominance on the boards, finishing with 12 rebounds for RDC. 

Lauren Cardinal (8) Picture - Tony Hansen

Emily Wagner had 34 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal for St. Mary's.

Once again, the Queens were the stronger team on the boards, putting up 11 more than the Lightning (43-32).

On Friday, January 11 at 6:00 p.m., the RDC Queens will host the SAIT Trojans at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.