Szymanek and Queens earn victory over visiting Rattlers

Red Deer, AB – The Red Deer College Queens' defence was difficult for the Medicine Hat College Rattlers to penetrate Friday evening. The Queens limited the Medicine Hat College Rattlers to 13 points in the second half. In conjuction with the home team hitting 44.4 per cent from the field, the Queens picked up a 65-39 victory.

The RDC Queens had a good start, taking a seven point edge after the first quarter (16-9). The visitors responded over the next ten minute frame. The Rattlers outscored the Queens 17-14 and trailed by only four at the break (26-30).

Fort St. John's Britney Peters led the RDC offence with 10 points. Lauren Cardinal had eight.

Medicine Hat College's Morgan Muir contributed eight points. Rhiannon Ware and Katelyn Rozdeba totaled six each.

Over two quarters, the Queens hit 34.2 per cent of their shots from the field. The Rattlers connected on 29.4 per cent of their field goal attempts.

After the Queens held a slight 34-33 edge in the third quarter, the home team went on a 14-0 run. Amy Szymanek had eight points during that stretch. RDC led 50-35 after three quarters.

The home team tacked on 15 points in the fourth. The Rattlers responded with four and the Queens solidified a 65-39 decision.

Amy Szymanek was named the Collegiate Sports Medicine Queens Player-of-the-Game. The five-foot nine guard contributed 14 points, five rebounds, three steals and one assist. She also hit six-of-12 from the field and went two-for-two from the free-throw line.

Katelyn Rozdeba received the award for the Rattlers, finishing with 12 points, eight rebounds, four steals. She was perferct from the free-throw line.

Over four quarters, the RDC Queens shot 44.4 per cent from the field, 22.2 from beyond the arc and 46.7 from the line. 

The Rattlers went 21.2 per cent from the field, 25 from three and 100 from the free-throw line. 

With the win, the Queens share fifth spot in the south with the Briercrest College Clippers (7-7). The Rattlers (8-7) sit in fourth, but have played one more game. 

On Saturday, the RDC Queens (7-7)  and Medicine Hat College Rattlers (8-7) will meet again at 1:00 pm at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.