Queens beat Clippers in Friday Night Matchup
Both teams came out defensively minded, each of them full-court pressing and causing turnovers. Both teams traded interior baskets as neither team could get the outside basket rolling. Although both teams were aggressive, the Clippers jumped out to a nine-point lead with eight minutes remaining in the first due to solid defense and a fast pace on offense. The Clippers kept their lead and quick offensive pace with a score of 29-21 with six and a half minutes remaining in the first. Due to clever defensive trapping, the Queens were able to cut the lead to five, before a timeout was called at 3:44 in the second, score: 37-32 Clippers. The Queens were able to overtake the Clippers at the end of the first half, edging them out by two with a score of 43-41.
Heading into the second half the Queens continued to expand their lead due to strong defensive pressure in the full court, stretching their lead to nine four minutes into the 3rd quarter. They continued their run, extending the lead to 15 with strong post play, making the score 64-49 Queens with 3:23 left in the 3rd quarter. The lead only changed marginally for the rest of the quarter, with the lead being cut to 12 with a score of 68-56 for the Queens at the end of the quarter.
Briercrest came out with energy in the fourth, scoring two quick baskets contributed by Dori Sunderland and Mackenzie Fredlund. Despite the energetic start, the Queens were able to regain their stranglehold on the game, reextending their lead to 12. Strong play from Brooklyn Martens ignited a 7-0 run for the Clippers with three minutes to go. This cut the lead to five, with a score of 77-72 for the Queens. Despite the pressure from Briercrest, Red Deer held on with a final score of 84-75.
The players of the game were #6 Amy Szymanek with 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 steals for the Queens, and #9 Dori Sunderland with 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Clippers.
Catch both teams in action tomorrow when they rematch.