The Briercrest women’s basketball team fell in their second game of the winter semester. They fought hard, but the final score ended up at 68-41 for visiting Medicine Hat. Briercrest lost the tip off that started the 1^st quarter, and both teams seemed well-matched, until Emilie Peters from Briercrest scored the first basket of the game, bringing the scoreboard to, 2-0 for the advantage of Briercrest. Shortly after, Briercrest led with the first basket, Medicine Hat scored their first basket, then scored two more taking the lead at 6-2 for the advantage of Medicine Hat. Katharine Winmill, assisted by Sophie Mayerle, scored the final basket of the 1^st quarter taking the scoreboard to, 17-6 for the advantage of Medicine Hat.

The second quarter started off with a battle between the two teams. Medicine Hat scored the first basket, and Briercrest sunk two foul shots bringing the score up to 18-7 for the advantage of Medicine Hat. Later on, Sophie Mayerle scored a nice lay up, Emilie Peters scored a basket, and Karis Fawcett scored a basket switching the scoreboard to 26-15 for the advantage of Medicine Hat. The teams continued to battle it out with Medicine Hat not too far ahead of Briercrest. But in the end, Megan Getz from Medicine Hat finished out the 2^nd quarter sinking a 3-point basket that brought the scoreboard to 33-17 for the advantage of Medicine Hat.

Briercrest’s Lauren Janzen started off the 3^rd quarter. She started off strong and confident throwing the ball in from the sideline ready to command her team. Shortly after, Sophie Mayerle scored the first basket for Briercrest in the 3^rd quarter switching the scoreboard to 35-19 for the advantage of Medicine Hat. Briercrest continued to fall behind, but the ladies continued to work hard. Later on, Lauren Janzen scored a nice basket, just inside the 3-point line, which took the scoreboard to 41-22 for the advantage of Medicine Hat. This event showed a glimmer of hope for Briercrest, but wasn’t enough to turn the strong currents of the game which were swung in favor of Medicine Hat with a leading score of 53-32 and only 1:35 left on the clock. Finally, Cassidy Babe had a strong run she dribbled the ball down the court looking to get one more basket in, then passed the ball to Abby Klassen and a chain-link of passes were executed, but it wasn’t enough and the 3^rd quarter ended with a defeat of 60-32 for Medicine Hat.

The final quarter started off with, Lauren Janzen – who proved herself worthy to be the lead scorer for Briercrest. She threw the ball in from the sideline for one more attempt to command her team to victory. Medicine Hat scored the first point in the 4^th quarter, and Briercrest fought to re-gain calibration fighting hard for 7 minutes of hopeful redemption. But a curve ball was thrown at Briercrest when one of Briercrest’s own players was injured on the court. Briercrest gathered around in prayer for their teammate and she slowly walked off as the crowd clapped showing their respect. Wrapping up the final quarter, Karis Fawcett had a nice interception, and Abby Klassen executed a nice chain-link of passes, but the Briercrest ladies still remained unable to shake the strong currents of the Medicine Hat Rattlers who won the game with a score of, 68-41.

The Player of the Game for Briercrest was Lauren Janzen with 8 points, 1 assist, and team high 7 rebounds.

Victoria Voth had a game high two blocks, Karis Fawcett had a game high three steals, Jill Ehman had a game high three assists and Sophie Mayerle had a team high 11 points.

For up to date information on the Briercrest Women’s Basketball team and Briercrest Athletics, “like” us on Facebook or at gobriercrest.ca. To watch games online go to acactv.ca