Lions Lose Double OT Thriller Versus Broncos

            The Ambrose Lions faced off against the Olds College Broncos for the second night in a row, after an overtime thriller at Olds College.

            The Broncos jumped out to an early lead thanks to strong play from #15 Rio Yamazaki. Ambrose started out slow and put Olds into the bonus early to make matters worse. The first quarter closed with an Olds lead of 15-8

            Yamazaki continued to pour on the scoring to start the second quarter, but this time Ambrose was better prepared to respond. Shooting from Tegan MacArthur and scoring in the paint from Andrijana Bokan kept the game close, but the Broncos' duo of Rio Yamazuki and Makayla Rose was stronger. Yamazuki amassed herself 21 first half points to go into the break with a 36-23 lead.

            The third quarter belonged to Ambrose's Andrijana Bokan and Ariana Dela Paz. The Lions took advantage of their size, outrebounding the Broncos 19-6 in the quarter. 16 points in the quarter between Bokan and Dela Paz off the bench helping close the gap, winning the quarter 22-17.

Bokan and MacArthur continued to play strong in the fourth with Bokan adding 10 of her team high 31 points in the quarter. As the game got closer, how teams shot at the free throw line really started to show. The Lions went 7 for 8 down the stretch while the Broncos went 1 for 6. Yamazaki went to the line tied at 68 with 12.6 to play. She whiffed on both, but Ambrose failed to score in the closing seconds, sending the game into overtime.

Bokan lead Ambrose into the extra time, grabbing one of her 8 offensive rebounds and putting it back. An offensive foul from Aryana Dela Paz was the first of three fouls in quick succession bringing her night to an early end. Down three, Yamazaki hit from deep to tie with 24 seconds to play, putting her up to 36 points and sending the game to another extra frame.

Bokan fouled out to start the second overtime. Without her or #23 Kamsiyochi Ogbudibe, Ambrose was left with a big gap down the middle that Olds was able to capitalize on, going ahead 84-77. Another pair of free throws from Yamazaki grew the lead to 9 and put her up to 41 points for the game. Ambrose couldn't overcome foul trouble, dropping the game to Olds in double OT 92-80. Player of the game awards went to Rio Yamazaki and Andrijana Bokan as each player posted a 30-point double-double.