Lightning hold off Queens' charge in South Division Playoff

Red Deer, AB - Down 22 points at the half, the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens pulled within one point late in the fourth quarter, but couldn't complete the comeback against the St. Mary's University Lighting in a South Division Playoff game. The Lightning picked up a 76-70 road decision.

The Lightning's offensive players got on a hot streak in the opening half and shot an incredible 60.7% from the field. Makayla Rose scored 12 of the Lightning's 47 first-half points. The RDP Queens were limited to 25 points.

"We didn't feel engaged in the first half," said Avery Harrison, RDP Queens Basketball Head Coach. "We were just kind of there and going through the motions."

St. Mary's accumulated 24 of its 47 points from three point range.

"We talked about getting out there and running them off the three, but they were eight-for-17 from the three which is insane shooting – it's almost 50 per cent. Nobody does that. As they got ahead, the pressure was off [of them]," added Harrison. "They got into a groove and we probably missed 17 inside shots in the first half. If we score half of those, it's a different game."

Lacombe's Peighton Melton led the way for the Queens with 10 points at the half. The RDP Queens shot 32% from the field over two quarters.

Led by Sandra Garcia-Bernal's 20 points in the second half, the RDP Queens outscored St. Mary's 45-29, but couldn't fully erase the deficit.

"It was a fantastic second half effort," noted Harrison. "It was the same defence that we played in the first half. They just worked harder and were engaged."

Over four quarters, the Lightning shot 55.6% from the field. 47.8% from three-point range and 78.9% from the free-throw line. The Queens countered with 40%, 18.2% and 76.2% respectively.

North Star Sports Queens Player of the Game Garcia-Bernal accumulated 23 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals.

Garcia-Bernal (23)

"Sandra's effort is the same every night. It's 100 per cent every possession. I'm sad to see her go," said Harrison. "It's her last game as a Queen. It's a tough way for her, Heena, Janai, Sadie – tough way to see them go out on this loss, but the last two years have been so good."

Melton finished with 15 points. Third-year Janai Hubert, a Bachelor of Kinesiology student, had nine points for the Queens.

Hubert (22)

Andria Stitt received the Player of the Game recognition for the Lightning. Stitt had 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal.

"You just hope that people step up at the right time and play well. You hope you can contain the other team's stars. They just outscored us tonight," said Harrison. "They're going on and we're done for the year. It's disappointing."

St. Mary's will advance to the Women's Final Four Basketball Tournament in Lethbridge.