Lightning capture road game over Queens

Brent Forster – Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics

Red Deer, AB – Facing the sixth ranked team in Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women's Basketball, the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens knew it would be a challenge.

Ed Major, Queens Basketball Interim Head Coach, appreciated the solid work ethic, but recognized that the turnovers were costly. 

"The Queens decided to come to play tonight," said Major. "We had a few letdowns and the Lightning made us pay every time we turned the ball over. 

Over four quarters, the Lighting had 20 fewer turnovers (12-32).

The St. Mary's University Lightning had the edge in three-of-four quarters and picked up a 76-55 road win. 

The first place Lightning broke out to a 42-23 lead by the half.

Maitlynn Wilde led the Lightning with 10 points. Lauren France got hot from the outside, hitting three-of-five from long range and totaling 11 points.

France (11)

Over two quarters, the visitors shot 35.4 per cent from the field. The home side knocked down 28.1 per cent of its field goal attempts.

The Queens' defence held the Lightning to eight points in the third quarter.

"We got them down to four points after three quarters, but had a letdown to start the fourth quarter," added Major. "They pulled away, but it was encouraging that we played better than yesterday."

Then the visitor's got back on track offensively in the fourth, draining 26.

St. Mary's University picked up the road win.

United Kingdom's Lauren France was recognized as the North Star Sports Queens Player of the Game, accumulating 14 points, four rebounds, one block and an assist.

Stauffer's Amy Szymanek provided a spark for RDP, once again. She had 19 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, one assist and a steal over 33 minutes.

"Amy and Lauren played great and the rest of the team just worked off of their efforts," added Major. 

Keanna Richards, a Bachelor of Science in Biologicial Sciences student, had 10 of the Queens' 53 rebounds.

Janai Hubert (22) had four points and three rebounds

Hannah Helton picked up the top performer honour for the Lightning, totaling 17 points, six rebounds and two assists.

Maitlynn Wilde added 14 points for the Lightning. Macyn Morning Bull chipped in with 11 for St. Mary's.

The Queens hit 33.3 per cent of their shots from the field. The Lightning sank 31.5 per cent of their field goal attempts.

The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens (6-6) will tip-off against the Broncos (4-9) in Olds on Friday, February 18 at 6 pm.

Then three regular season games remain.