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Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference "To be Canada's premiere collegiate athletic conference by developing and inspiring leadership through excellence in academics, sport and citizenship"
Posted: Feb 25, 2023

Briercrest Secures Championship Spot With Victory Over Olds

Box Score
Game Leaders
OC
Pts: Odett Schlegl - 18
Reb: Meghan Swartz - 11
Ast: Rio Yamazaki - 6
BC
Pts: Amber Fichtner - 20
Reb: Amber Fichtner - 24
Ast: Brooklyn Martens - 8
Team Stats
Full stats

by Jeff Misener

The Briercrest Clippers enjoyed a dominant team rebounding effort and a strong third quarter on offense to earn a trip to the 2023 ACAC women's basketball championships, defeating the Olds Broncos 68-58.

Briercrest attacked the paint to open the game, while Olds chose to bomb from outside. Rio Yamazaki capably ran the Broncos' offensive efforts as the visitors found an open Odett Schlegl, who nailed her first three triples. Maddison Beattie hit the Clippers' only three while Amber Fichtner supplied the inside scoring and rebounding as Olds led 18-16 after ten minutes.

The second quarter saw the teams exchange leads repeatedly. A steal and score by Eve Duerksen was answered by Schlegl's three point play. A bank shot from Clippers' Hannah Matuszewski tied the game, and a quick flurry of scoring in the final seconds pushed Briercrest to a 36-32 lead.

Briercrest blasted out of the gate in the third, with Beattie splashing a baseline triple and Fichtner and Melissa Ellis connecting inside. Beattie starred on offense for the hosts, converting a selection of outside shots and interior moves. Although the Broncos' enjoyed an offensive burst late in the quarter, the Clippers enjoyed a 53-41 lead.

Fichtner and Beattie traded baskets with Olds' Meghan Swartz and Yamazaki early in the last period. Brooklyn Martens and Fichtner provided strong leadership on the defensive boards for Briercrest, limiting Olds to single opportunities, while Beattie and Melissa Ellis extended the lead. Olds introduced a pressing defense, but the Clippers calmly dismantled it and cruised to the win.

Player of the Game for the Olds Broncos was Odett Schlegl, who notched 18 points along with three rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Teammate Meghan Swartz had a double double (11 points and 11 boards), while Rio Yamazaki had a game-high 10 dimes. For Briercrest, Madison Beattie knocked down 19 points to go with two steals to earn the award. Amber Fichtner had a monstrous 20 points and 24 boards in the victory.