Lions Lose Defensive Slugfest
The Ambrose Lions were looking to put an end to their 2-game losing streak on Friday night against the visiting Lethbridge College Kodiaks. The Kodiaks currently sit in 2nd place in the ACAC South sporting a 9-5 record.
Ambrose quickly got themselves in foul trouble in the opening minutes of the first quarter. The Kodiaks were able to capitalize, converting 6-8 from the line to take an early advantage. The Lions also struggled to pick it up offensively, converting on just 23% of their attempts in the quarter as the Kodiaks played an aggressive zone defense. The Kodiaks finished the quarter ahead 15-9.
The second quarter was much more free flowing with each team only picking up 1 team foul apiece. However, Ambrose continued to struggle from the field as the Kodiaks' efficiency increased, allowing them to grow the lead further. A three-pointer from Matlin Jacobs in the closing seconds brought the scoreline for the quarter to 16-10 in favor of Lethbridge, giving them a 31-19 advantage going into the break.
Ambrose found their rhythm in the third quarter both offensively and defensively. Led by #23 Kamsiyochi Ogbudibe and #5 Makenna Graham the Lions put together a 15-3 run to take their first lead of the game at 34-33 halfway through the third. Unfazed, the Kodiaks gathered themselves enough to regain the lead before the end of the quarter to enter the fourth ahead 40-37.
Bothe teams were ice cold to open the final quarter with each team only managing to put up 4 points each at the halfway mark. But as time wound down Kodiaks' #9 Courtney Deemter was the sole player to pick things up, going on a personal 8-0 to break open the score 52-43 with just 90 seconds to go. The Kodiaks locked down the Lions down the stretch eventually taking the game with a final score of 55-44.
With the loss the Lions drop below .500 for the first time this season and are now tied with Olds College for 6th place in the South. Lions #6 Brianna Thompson earned player of the game off the bench for the home team while Courtney Deemter earned the award for the visiting side shooting 8-10 from the floor for a game high 16 points. The teams will matchup again on Saturday in Lethbridge where the Lions will look to end their 3-game losing streak.