Kodiaks spoil Queens' home opener

Brent Forster - Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics

Red Deer, AB - The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens played their best basketball late in the fourth quarter against the Lethbridge College Kodiaks, but they couldn't close the gap.

The Kodiaks picked up a 74-66 road win to start the new campaign.

The visitors led 40-31 at the half, on the strength of 16 points from Kirsten Barwegen.

Melin (12)

Stockholm's Sophie Melin led the Queens with 17 points over 20 minutes. 

The Queens made a strong push in the final few minutes of the game, but it wasn't enough. 

"I wished that we played 40 minutes the way that we played the last five with that fire and that passion," said Mandy Botham, Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Basketball Head Coach. 

Red Deer Polytechnic outscored Lethbridge College 35-34 over the final two quarters, but the Kodiaks picked up the road win. 

"I thought we struggled to be consistent and we struggled to do the little things that end up being big things - boxing out, following your shot, moving to the ball, executing full plays," said Botham. 

Over 40 minutes, the Kodiaks shot 39.4 per cent from the field. The Queens responded with a 33.8 per cent efficiency. 

The visitors won the battle on the boards (54-42).

Amy Szymanek was named the North Star Sports Queens Player of the Game. The Bachelor of Education Middle School student had 18 points, 12 rebounds, one assist, and one steal. 

"Amy always sets the pace and the tone for us. She gives 100 per cent every possession," said Botham. "She's good on the defensive end. She's a big part of our offence. I thought she was effective in our press when we ran it really well - just a great leader all around."

Courtney Deemter was recognized as the top performer for the Kodiaks, finishing with 22 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals. 

Sophie Melin led the home team with 22 points. Lauren France, a Bachelor of Arts Psychology student, contributed seven points.

The Queens (0-1) and Kodiaks (1-0) will face each other in a rematch in Lethbridge on Sunday, November 14 at 5 pm.

"That consistent level of effort and intensity and focus will be huge for us," said Botham. "It's nice we have a day off, so we can look at making some adjustments and the girls can rest their bodies a little bit."

Jeffries (4), Richards (5), Szymanek (6)