Rattlers Win Big Over Queens

In a David vs Goliath battle the 2-10 Red Deer Queens travelled to the snake pit to take on the 11-2 Medicine Hat College Rattlers. The game started with teams trading buckets early. After some misses on both sides the game started to settle in midway through the first. The Queens were battling hard and were able to use some strong rebounding and offensive play to jump out to a small lead. Up by 3 the Queens nailed a jumper to extend the lead to 5. Seeing this Medicine Hat made some substitutions and tried to change their strategy to cut in to the lead. But sloppy play from the home side allowed Red Deer to maintain a small 1 point lead into the break. 19-18.

The second quarter saw a steady stream of fans walk in at the break. This injection of energy helped the home side who came out of the break to score 8 straight points. This vaulted them in to the lead. As the quarter progressed the Queens started to chip into the Rattlers slim lead. As soon as Red Deer got within striking distance, Medicine Hat turned it on and again put some distance on the board. Now a 9 point lead, the Rattlers defense was dictating the game. As the clock sat at 40 second the Queens called a timeout in an attempt to cut into the lead late. This did not work as the home side continued to outscore the visitors ending the half up 47-29.

Although the Rattlers lead was 18 to start the 3^rd quarter, the game was tighter than the score indicated. As both teams came out aggressively in the second half the score started to climb much quicker than the first half. With end to end action and neither team bringing the shot clock into play, the clock wound down quickly with little break in the action. As the clock hit 5:10 Medicine Hat called a timeout in an effort to slow the game down. With this end to end action the Queens came out on top narrowing the lead to 14. Coming out of the timeout the frantic play continued. This time neither team able to convert on their next few trips down the court each. This stalled the momentum of play for both sides. The first break in scoring came from the home side scoring 3 straight baskets again extending their lead. With steals coming fast and furious for the Rattlers, Red Deer could not seem to get anything started offensively. As the 3^rd quarter came to a close the Rattlers had extended their lead now up 22, 46-68.

As the fourth quarter started, the game seemed out of reach for the visitors. But they did not simply roll over. As the Queens continued to press, they were able to cut into the lead but with no significance early. Both teams started to struggle with ball control as both teams were committing turnovers on seemingly simple plays. This continued as the game progressed with neither team able to establish any true momentum. As the fast paced play continued, the game clock continued to disappear at an alarming rate. With 20 minutes left on the clock and the score now 80-55, the game was all but over. As Medicine Hat continued to score and still stop the Queens attack, the result was never in doubt. As the clock approached the end of the game Medicine Hat ran out the clock as they won by 30, 85-55.

The ACAC Players of the game were: From Red Deer, Lauren cardinal. And for Medicine Hat Kianna Mintz.