Queens Outpace Lions at Ambrose

The 7-5 Ambrose Lions took on the 6-6 Red Deer Polytechnic Queens on Friday night in the first of 2 weekend games.

            The Lions started strong in the first quarter on both ends of the floor. The Queens were held to just 33.3% from the floor including 0-5 from behind the arc while the Lions put up a respectable 41%. The Lions couldn't take advantage, however, with turnovers allowing the Queens to keep the game close. Their 9 giveaways in the first would prove to set the tone for the rest of the game but they still managed to come away with a 21-17 edge.

            The Queens would pick things up in the second thanks to the scorching hot play of #12 Sophie Melin. Melin went 6-7 from the floor, scoring 14 of her game high 21 points. Ten more giveaways by the Lions in the quarter continued to hold them back as the Queens won the quarter 20-14, heading into the break with a 2-point advantage.

            The Lions looked to get momentum back on their side coming out of the break. Ambrose went on an 8-2 run to start the quarter to take back the lead 43-39. But after a bucket by Kamsiyochi Ogbudibe to go ahead 50-45 the Queens would shut things down holding Ambrose scoreless over the final 2:50 of the quarter, allowing them to take back the lead going into the 4^th ahead 53-50.

            Ambrose opened the scoring in the fourth but after that they would go ice cold again. The Queens responded with a 15-2 run to gain their largest lead of the game at 68-55. With just 4 minutes left, the deficit proved to be insurmountable for the Lions, dropping the game at home 64-75.

            Player of the game awards were given to Lions #3 Kole Graham and Queens #12 Sophie Melin. The Lions will look to bounce back in their rematch against the Queens – this time in Red Deer – before taking on the second seeded Lethbridge College Kodiaks next week.