The NAIT Ooks women's basketball team fall 78-72 to the Concordia Thunder.
EDMONTON, ALTA. - The Concordia Thunder came out strong in the second half to come from behind to defeat the NAIT Ooks 78-72 in ACAC women's basketball action on Friday night in the NAIT gymnasium.
The two teams came into this game tied in the ACAC standings with 24 points, the NAIT Ooks having a record of 11-5 and the Concordia Thunder with a record of 11-7. A close game was what was predicted and a close game is what occurred. Both teams came out of the gate strong, with Concordia outscoring the Ooks slightly 19-16 in the first quarter. The Ooks found their wings in the second quarter, outscoring the Thunder 23-11, with Carly McHarg leading the way draining 8 points in the quarter. NAIT led 39-30 at halftime.
In the second half, Concordia would respond outscoring the Ooks 23-16, bringing the Ooks' lead to just two points. In the final quarter, the Thunder kept pressing the gas as they outscored the home team 25-17, completing the come from behind victory taking the game 78-72. The Concordia win was largely because of Danielle MacLellan who posted 24 points in the final half.
"They shot the ball very well and we were disinterested in playing anything that looked like defense in the final half," said Ooks' head coach Todd Warnick following the loss.
Players of the Game
NAIT Ooks - Mackenzie Emmerson
Concordia Thunder - Danielle MacLellan
The Big Picture
With the loss, the Ooks fall into a tie for fourth in the ACAC with the Keyano Huskies at 11-6. The Thunder improve to 12-7 and remain tied for second with the Lakeland Rustlers at 12-7.
What's Next?
The two teams will now rematch tomorrow night in Concordia gymnasium at 6:00 pm.