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Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference "To be Canada's premiere collegiate athletic conference by developing and inspiring leadership through excellence in academics, sport and citizenship"
Posted: Feb 16, 2024

Clippers Ride Second Half Surge to Win Over NAIT

Video Box Score
Game Leaders
NAIT
Pts: Payton Neilson - 20
Reb: Laila Wright - 8
Ast: Elizabeth Salcedo - 3
BC
Pts: Dori Sunderland - 22
Reb: 2 Players (#8, #23) - 9
Ast: 2 Players (#8, #14) - 3
Team Stats
Full stats

By Jeff Misener

The Briercrest Clippers (11-8) entertained the NAIT Ooks (7-11) in the penultimate game for both squads in ACAC women's basketball action. After sluggish and uninspiring play in the first half, the Clippers showed their strength and cruised to a 72-54 victory.

The game opened with pace as NAIT's Payton Neilson and Briercrest's Brooklyn Martens traded layups. Threes from Neilson and Mikah Reed pushed the Ooks to an early lead, but the hosts responded by attacking the paint. The Clippers' persistent interior defense forced NAIT beyond the arc, and Clipper guard Dori Sunderland was at her thieving best in the opening quarter. 

The Clippers continued to apply immense pressure against the Ooks and successfully reduced their offensive options, though Reed did knock down another three. The hosts crashed the boards and made life miserable for NAIT on inbounds plays, and the limited offense for both squads in the quarter came at the charity stripe.

Briercrest came out of halftime and found joy at the rim. A three from Reed made it a one score game until Sunderland raced coast to coast for an uncontested layup, splashed a triple from the top of the key, and converted a steal and score. Neilson sought to rally her team, but the Clippers battened down the hatches and stood firm. 

Reed and Clippers' Amber Fichtner opened the final frame by nailing good looks on offense. Briercrest's Madison Beattie turned Melissa Ellis' baseline pass into points before Ellis hit her own triple. Neilson's spirited efforts offered NAIT a glimmer of hope, but strong inside contributions from Fichtner and Brooklyn Martens stifled the rally. 

Player of the Game for the NAIT Ooks was Payton Neilson, who led the visitors in scoring with 20 points, while adding three rebounds and three steals; Mikah Reed chipped in with 12 points and four boards. After the game, Briercrest celebrated four graduating players – Melissa Ellis, Brooklyn Martens, Victoria Voth, and Hope Jordens; Clippers' Dori Sunderland led all scorers with 22 points and a whopping seven steals and Asia Wells hit for 13 points and nine rebounds.