WBB| Trojans Upset Kodiaks in 2023 Opener Ending the Trojans Losing Streak and Extended the Kodiaks to a 3rd Straight Loss
The Kodiaks and SAIT Trojans looked to get back in the win column and end their losing streaks entering their first game of 2023 as they faced off against each other in the Val Matteotti
Both the Kodiaks and Trojans kept it tight throughout the opening quarter as both teams were busy all over the court but were unable to put points up due to tight defense on both ends. The Trojans were able to get the upper hand on the Kodiaks in the closing minutes of the 1st quarter with Trojans Skylar MacDonald leading the charge with 6 points to keep the Trojans up 20-15 after 10 minutes of play.
The Trojans continued to grow their lead over the Kodiaks in the 2nd quarter with Trojans Skylar bringing her total up to 11 points for the 1st half as the Kodiaks fought hard to try and gain some ground with Kitawna Sparks grabbing 5 points in the 2nd but was not enough to get ahead as the Kodiaks fell 37-28 headed into the half.
The Kodiaks continued to struggle in the opening frame of the 2nd half as they were not able to find any rhythm allowing the Trojans to capitalize on those opportunities resulting in a growing lead as the Kodiaks began to run out of time to turn this game around and get back in it. Trojans Brooke Barker picked up 5 points in the 3rd to help push the Trojans to a 50-36 lead with 1 quarter to play.
The Kodiaks came flying into the 4th which caught SAIT off-guard and flat-footed, giving the Kodiaks the opportunity to get right back into the game crossing the halfway mark of the quarter with the help of Kodiaks Courtney Deemter and Kitawna Sparks combing for 13 points the get the Kodiaks right back in the race. The Trojans, however, had other plans, turned on the boosters in the closing minutes, and kept the Kodiaks far enough back to hold out Lethbridge and take the game 62-58.
Player of The Game:
Trojans|#6 Kaleigh Sellars
Kodiaks|#7 Montana Berezay