Posted: Mar 05, 2026
Quarter Finals Game #3
The host Briercrest Clippers took on the Concordia Thunder in a highly anticipated matchup between two strong rivals.
Both teams came out flying, pushing the pace and looking to score in transition as they worked through some early nerves. In the opening minutes, both sides attacked the rim, but it was Concordia that capitalized. The Clippers struggled to finish around the basket, and after four minutes the visitors had jumped out to a 12–2 lead following a Briercrest timeout.
The Thunder continued to find ways to the hoop and maintained control for most of the first quarter. Still, the Clippers showed some late life, closing the frame on a 7–0 run capped by a buzzer-beating runner from Beattie. Despite the surge, Concordia held a 20–12 lead after one.
The second quarter was much more competitive. The Clippers began to settle in, pushing back while the hometown crowd provided plenty of energy. Briercrest kept the deficit within eight points for much of the quarter, but the Thunder closed the half strong. A late run by Concordia, highlighted by a three-pointer, sent the teams to the break with the Thunder ahead 33–18.
The Clippers opened the second half with renewed energy. #24 Sarah Neustaeter scored five quick points to start the third quarter, but Concordia answered basket for basket. The Thunder stretched the lead with a few easy buckets before the Clippers responded with hustle plays on defense, forcing three steals that turned into a six-point swing.
With four minutes left in the third, Concordia knocked down a pair of three-pointers to push the lead back to 12. The game briefly paused after a scary moment when Thunder guard #4 went down holding her knee. She was helped off the floor, and everyone hopes she will be okay.
Briercrest refused to back down. The Clippers clawed their way back, trimming the deficit to four late in the quarter, but Concordia managed to hit an easy jumper before the buzzer to take a 52–46 lead into the fourth.
The stage was set for a dramatic finish.
The Clippers opened the final quarter with the first five points, pulling within one. After several back-and-forth possessions, Briercrest tied the game at 56 with a three-pointer with 5:28 remaining. The crowd erupted and did its best to will the home team forward, even helping rattle the Thunder into missing two free throws.
Moments later, Seaborg gave the Clippers their first lead of the game with an end-to-end rush to the basket. Concordia quickly answered with a series of baskets and a free throw to reclaim the lead with four minutes to play.
The closing minutes were tense. Waind knocked down two free throws for the Clippers, the Thunder answered with a basket, and Anderson hit a three for Briercrest to tie the game at 63 with three minutes remaining.
Concordia responded with a rebound and put-back to go up by two with two minutes left. A Clippers turnover led to a Thunder layup, while Briercrest managed to split a pair of free throws. Concordia also split from the line, keeping the lead intact with one minute remaining.
From there, Thunder guard Bowman iced the game at the free-throw line, knocking down four clutch shots while Waind added a quick coast-to-coast layup for the Clippers. In the end, Concordia held on for a 74–66 victory.
The Clippers battled hard and even grabbed the lead late in the fourth, but the Thunder's steady play down the stretch proved decisive in an exciting second half comeback that ultimately fell short for Briercrest.
Players of the Game were #24 Sarah Neustaeter (16 points, 3 steals and 20 rebounds) for the Clippers and #1 Jaycee May for the Thunder with assists and points.