Broncos winning streak stalls at four

The Medicine Hat Rattlers (8-1) spoiled the Olds College Broncos (4-4) chance at a five game winning streak on Friday night in Olds, winning 96-70. 

The loss was just the first at home for the Broncos on the season, as the banged up six player lineup was no match for the talented Rattlers. 

Kennedy Werre went 12-17 from the floor in the contest for Medicine Hat, registering a team-high 29 points and 12 rebounds, bringing home player of the game honours for the visitors. ACAC leading point scorer Brittney Thibeaux had another solid game for the Broncos, scoring 31 points to win player of the game for Olds College.

The Broncos were ice cold from the floor early on in the contest, with Thibeaux missing a few from her office, right underneath the basket, where she's been lights out all year.

With just under four minutes remaining in the quarter, point guard Alice-Fay Pitts made a hard drive into the lane, making a basket plus the harm to get her team within four points.

However, the Rattlers remained dominant from the three-point line, as Kendell Kuntz made her second three ball of the game to regain a five-point lead. After a few exchanged baskets, the Medicine Hat College Rattlers would finish the first quarter with a 27-21 lead.

They Broncos quickly found themselves down ten points early in the second, struggling to move the ball, turning the balls over a few times attempting to force the ball down low to their All-Star Thibeaux.

The Rattler's were able to use their entire bench, getting 12 different players onto the court by the time the second quarter was half-way done; double the amount of players the Broncos were able to dress.

The fresh legs were evident by the defense the Rattlers played on Thibeaux. Paige Cooper was able to put the 6'0 forward into a proverbial jail in the first-half, forcing three turnovers and a under 50% shooting in the half. 

It appeared that if the Broncos were going to get back into the ball-game, it would have to be done with outside shooting. This feat was easier said than done, especially with sharp shooter Madison Simmonds sidelined with an injury.

Michaela Allen-Gullion, however, was dressed for the Broncos. Coming off Broncos Athlete of the Week honours from an MVP like performance in the North vs. South tournament last weekend, Allen-Gullon showed off her three point prowess, making threes on back-to-back drives like Drake re: 2015.

The Broncos as a whole, though, were losing the shooting battle. Poor shooting combined with twice as many turnovers as the visiting Rattlers put the Broncos in a 15 points hole, down 48-33 going into the second half.

The Rattlers were able to maintain their lead throughout the third quarter, knocking down look after look to take a 64-45 lead to force a Broncos timeout. After the third quarter the Rattlers retained a 76-53 lead.

The Rattlers were able to take it to the house in the fourth, ultimately winning the game 96-70.

The Broncos and Rattlers will play a rematch tomorrow afternoon at 1 P.M. in Olds.