By Austin Driedger

For the second game in a row, the Briercrest Clippers women’s basketball team fell to the Medicine Hat Rattlers 67-44.

Briercrest’s record falls to 3-14 while Medicine Hat improves to 10-8.

Rattlers got off to a strong start, establishing the lead early in the game and Briercrest kept fighting in an attempt to make their way back, but despite their best efforts they fell short.

First quarter finished with a score of 19-10, and although Briercrest was within two points of the Rattlers at one point (with the score being 21-19), the half finished with a score of 35-20. First half stand out for Medicine Hat was Vanessa Loveseth (Viking, AB) with 10 points. For Briercrest it was a well-rounded team effort with points coming from all positions, noticeable mention to Laura Wild (Spruce Grove, AB) for her calm demeanor while controlling the ball.

As the game continued after the half, the Rattlers extended their lead to as much as 31 points as the score after the third quarter was 58-27. Briercrest scored 7 compared to 23 points from the Rattlers, as the Rattlers stepped up their game and laid the pressure on the Briercrest defense.

In the fourth quarter, Medicine Hat held on to their lead and finished the game with a score of 67-44. Tracy Frimprong (Calgary, AB) had a good fourth quarter with six points to finish the game as the player of the game.

End of game stats for Frimprong was a game high 14 points and 12 rebounds, to go with two blocks. Player of the Game for Medicine Hat was Megan Trisevic (Calgary, AB) with 13 points, seven rebounds, one steal and one block.

Game Notes: Briercrest outrebounded Medicine Hat 43-40. Rattlers led in assists 18-7, as well as leading in steals 17-8 and getting significantly less turn overs as Medicine Hat had 18 compared to 34 from Briercrest. Rattlers shot 39% from the field, and 33% from behind the arc, as well as hitting 52% of their free throws. Briercrest shot 28% from the field, 12% from behind the arc and completed 63% of their free throws.

Player highs for Briercrest were the aforementioned Frimpong, and Melissa Kelsey and Kennedy Sawatzky had team high of two assists, Claire Richardson had a game high three blocks, and Laura Wild had a team high three steal.

Briercrest plays St. Mary’s Univeristy College next weekend, be sure to follow online at SportsCanada.tv or like Briercrest Basketball on Facebook.