Broncos fall short in second half comeback against RDC

Olds College Broncos women's basketball team lost 69-65 to the Red Deer College Queens in the Olds College Student Appreciation Night Friday, Nov. 8 at the Ralph Klein Centre.

The Broncos jumped out to a 6-2 lead to start the game before building up a 14-6 lead halfway through the quarter, off a nice Alice-Fay Pitts pass to Alli Taylor for the easy layup. Red Deer took a timeout moments later. Red Deer was able to cut into the lead slightly and made the score 19-13 after one quarter.

At the five minute mark Red Deer took a 25-23 lead. The teams continued to go back and forth for the remainder of the half, with RDC not allowing Olds to take the lead, even building a 33-29 lead with 28 seconds left in the half and forcing a Broncos timeout. That is where the first half score ended.

RDC opened the scoring in the second half with two quick baskets to give them a 37-29 lead. Alli Taylor responded with a layup to start the Broncos second half scoring. Red Deer extended their lead to 43-32. A pair of free throws by Brittney Thibeaux cut the RDC lead to 43-34 at the 5:32 mark. The team continued to exchange baskets until Michaela Allen-Gullion made a basket followed by Macyn Morning Bull free throws to cut the RDC lead to 47-42. The Broncos took a 49-47 lead but RDC came back and took a 51-49 lead into the fourth quarter.

RDC opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer to extend their lead and the teams went back and forth exchanging baskets before Brandi Thibeaux gave a beautiful pass to Alli Taylor for an uncontested layup under the basket to bring the score to 56-53 for RDC. After an RDC basket Brandi Thibeaux dribbled the ball to the basket and gave another great pass to Alli Taylor under the basket to make the score 58-55 for RDC. The Queens extended their lead to 61-55 and forcing an Olds timeout with 3:29 left in the game. RDC then took a timeout of their own. With a pair of free throws, RDC extended their lead to 62-55 out of the timeout. The Broncos responded fast as Brandi Thibeaux scored two straight baskets and then forced a turnover and another Brandi Thibeaux basket to bring the score to 63-61 with 1:50 left in the game. Macyn Morning Bull scored on a fast break to make the score 63-63 moments later and RDC took a timeout. RDC scored out of the timeout to retake the lead and then forced an Olds turnover. RDC extended their lead to 67-63 before the Broncos resorted to fouling, falling 69-65.

Player of the game for Red Deer was Sophie Melin with a game high 17 points to with seven rebounds and four assists and the Pit Barbecue Player of the Game for the Broncos was Alli Taylor with a team high 14 points and game high 14 rebounds and six steals.

The Broncos led the game in steals 20-9 while Red Deer held the advantage in the game in rebounds 44-38 and assists 20-17. Michaela Allen-Gullion had a team tying 14 points with a game high three three-pointers (3-14) and game high five assists for the Broncos.

The Broncos host Lethbridge College Friday, Nov. 15 for Cancer Awareness Night. Game time is 6:00 pm.

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