RDC Queens pull within four of nationally ranked Clippers

Brent Forster - RDC

Red Deer, AB – The Red Deer College Queens gave the top ten nationally ranked Briercrest College Clippers a test. The Queens closed a 13 point deficit in the fourth quarter, but they couldn't take the edge late. A 36 point performance from Briercrest College's Angenay Williams helped the visitors finalize a 76-72 decision. 

Not much separated the two squads in the opening quarter. A three-pointer from second-year Sophie Melin pushed the home team ahead 18-16 at the buzzer.

The Clippers had a strong second quarter, connecting from the outside and outscoring the Queens 26-18. With 17 points from Angenay Williams, Briercrest College held a six point edge at half (42-36).

RDC Bachelor of Kinesiology student Lauren Cardinal contributed five rebounds and eight points, which included a 100 per cent success rate from the free-throw line and field.

Over two quarters, the visitors hit seven out of 17 from the beyond the arc (41.2%). RDC responded with two-of-ten (20%).

Both teams had 12 turnovers in the first half.

In the third, Briercrest College hit another pair from long range and knocked down a total of 21 points. RDC sank 14 and trailed 63-50.

The Queens gained some momentum in the final quarter, knocking down 22 points. They evened the contest 69-69 off a free-throw from Harneet Sidhu, but Angenay Williams hit some late shots and helped the Clippers pick up a 76-72 win. 

The Clippers finished nine-of-28 from three (32.1%). The Queens sank five out of 25 (20%).

Harneet Sidhu led the Queens with 21 points. Lauren Cardinal finished with nine rebounds and 17 points, and was near perfect on her shot attempts. The third-year from St. Albert made all seven free-throws and went five-for-six from the field. 

The home team won the battle on the boards (52-46).

Mallory Uskiw earned the Collegiate Sports Medicine Queens Player-of-the-Game. The Bachelor of Science Nursing student contributed six points, six rebounds and three steals in a hard-working effort.

Angenay Williams had a game-high 36 points. She sits second in league scoring (26.8 points per game), only a couple of points behind 2018-19 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women's Basketball Player of the Year Brittney Thibeaux (29.1) of Olds College. 

The RDC Queens (4-3) will host the Briercrest College Clippers (4-2) on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.