Quick and balanced Queens' attack sink Trojans

Brent Forster - RDC

Red Deer, AB – A strong start combined with contributions from the entire Red Deer College Queens lineup made it challenging for the SAIT Trojans to overcome. Leading by 12 at the break, the Queens tacked on 31 points in the latter half and solidified a 65-43 win.

The RDC Queens impressively opened on a 12-0 run and finished up five (14-9) at the end of the first quarter. The home team added 20 points over the next ten minute frame. SAIT replied with 13 and RDC led 34-22 at the break.

"We did get off to a strong start. It was something we talked about at shoot this morning, just things we want to do differently today," said Queens Head Coach Mandy Botham. "The girls really came out and executed the game plan." 

Over 20 minutes, the RDC Queens connected on 46.2 per cent of their field goal attempts. The SAIT Trojans were 20.6 per cent successful.

Harneet Sidhu had an efficient first half, scoring 12 points for RDC. The guard from Surrey made five out of five from the field and two-of-two from the free-throw line.

Rachel Osczevski recorded six points and six boards for SAIT.

The home team outscored the visitors 31-21 in the latter half and wrapped up a 65-43 home win.

"I thought today was a really great team win. We were able to get everybody a lot of minutes, and they were meaningful minutes," stated Botham. "When the players were in, they made the most of those. They got stops for us, big rebounds, scored some buckets and as a coach it was really cool to see how everyone was excited to celebrate their teammates' success."

First-year Celine Quigley had three boards and one steal. Keanna Richards, another first-year Queen, picked up a pair of steals and one rebound.

Harneet Sidhu was recognized as the Collegiate Sports Medicine Queens Player-of-the-Game. The second-year stacked up 17 points, six rebounds, three steals and a pair of assists.

Garcia-Bernal (23) brought down nine rebounds

Britney Peters had another good game, accumulating 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block. Valentina Rincon had 11 points, which included three-of-four from beyond the arc. Stockholm's Sophie Melin added ten points. 

Melin (12)

Lauren Bailey was strong for the Trojans once again, contributing 16 points.

Skyler MacDonald picked up the top player award for the Trojans. She had five points, four steals, two rebounds and one block.

RDC held the rebounding edge (54-33) and was more efficient from the field (40.7-24.2%)

Four games remain for the Queens as they push for the postseason. They have 16 points in the standings and trail the fourth place Lethbridge College Kodiaks (9-8) by only two points for the final spot in the south.

After a bye week, the RDC Queens (8-9) will compete against the Ambrose University Lions (3-13) in Calgary on Friday, Feb. 21 at 6:00 pm.

"We are going to keep our practice schedule the same and it gives us an opportunity to do a little bit extra film and some team building activities that will help us give that push," explained Botham. "I think the rest, of not playing two games next weekend - the physical toll that it takes on their bodies, it will be nice to have that rest."

The SAIT Trojans (4-12) are back in action on Friday, Feb. 14 against the Ambrose University Lions (3-13) at 6:00 pm in Calgary.