Rattlers take rematch over Queens at Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre

Brent Forster - RDC

Red Deer, AB – The Red Deer College Queens were a bit out of sync Saturday afternoon.

The Medicine Hat College Rattlers led at the break and grew their margin in the latter half, downing the RDC Queens 61-52 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre. 

"I'm just really disappointed in the way we played today. Really disappointed in our effort and our attitudes," says Queens Head Coach Mandy Botham. "We just didn't play a team game. I didn't recognized the Queens team on the court today, which is frustrating and disappointing because that's not who we worked so hard to become."

The Rattlers led by four (17-13) after the first quarter. In an even second quarter, each side scored 11 points and Medicine Hat held its four point edge at the half (28-24).

Sandra Garcia-Bernal led the Queens with nine points and four rebounds. She hit three-of-four from the field, one three-pointer and a pair of free-throws.

Garcia-Bernal (23) played 36 minutes

Katelyn Rozdeba took charge for the Rattlers, sinking 12 points and adding six boards. 

The RDC Queens shot 32 per cent from the field. The Rattlers were successful on 32.4 per cent of their field goals.

"We weren't communicating as well as we normally do, offensively or defensively," explains Botham. "Then quite often, players try and do it all themselves and that just frustrates each other more, and we were never able to overcome that frustration today." 

The visitors had a strong offensive showing in the third quarter (21-15), building their lead to ten (49-39). The Queens dropped 13 points in the final quarter. The Rattlers scored 12 and wrapped up a 61-52 road decision.

"We knew we had to sweep these guys to give us a shot at playoffs and we played so well the previous three games to put us in a position like this," says Botham. "I feel we let it slip through our hands today."

Harneet Sidhu was named the Collegiate Sports Medicine Queens Player-of-the-Game. The second-year Justice Studies student totaled 13 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Sidhu (14) had two defensive and one offensive rebound

Rattlers Player-of-the-Game Morgan Muir contributed 15 points, seven assists, six steals and five rebounds.

Muir and Sidhu

RDC's Sandra Garcia-Bernal finished with a double-double (11 points and 11 boards).

The Queens connected on 30 per cent of their field goals. The Rattlers finished with a 35.7 per cent efficiency.

Medicine Hat had the edge on the boards (49-40).

"We will take today as fuel for things that we can improve on," states Botham. "We will use it to get better and hopefully come back stronger next weekend." 

The Queens share fifth with the Briercrest College Clippers (7-8). Both teams have 14 points in the south standings and are four points out of a playoff position.

On Friday, Feb. 7, the RDC Queens (7-8) and SAIT Trojans (3-11) will compete in Calgary at 6:00 pm.

At the same time, the Medicine Hat College Rattlers (9-7) will contend with the Broncos (13-1) in Olds.

Red Deer Minor Basketball Showcase

From the Red Deer Minor Basketball Association, the U11 Boys and Girls competed at the break. They also had the opportunity to watch and become inspired by Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Basketball action.

The Red Deer Minor Basketball Association has been in existence since 2011 and aligns its principles of athlete development with the Alberta Basketball Association, NBA Jr. and Canada Basketball Association.