David Kent, Griffins Athletics
Edmonton, AB…..The MacEwan University Griffins women's basketball team completed the two game sweep of the UBC-O Heat, on Saturday night, defeating the Heat, 62-44, at the City Centre Campus gymnasium, in Edmonton, Alberta. The Griffins finish the fall part of the Canada West schedule with a 7-1 record, good for first place in the Explorer Division. The Heat's record falls to 5-3 in conference play.
The first quarter was a good defensive struggle with UBC-O holding the high powered Griffin offense in check for the majority of the first frame before Kelly Fagan, a fifth year Science major, from St. Albert, AB and Kayla Ivicak, a second year Physical Education major, hit key baskets late in the quarter to give MacEwan University a two point lead after the first quarter. MacEwan University shot 37 percent from the floor in the quarter, while UBC-O hit 33 percent of their shots.
The second quarter belonged to MacEwan University as they defensively held UBC-O to eight points while going on a 10 point run midway through the quarter, led by Kendall Lydon, fourth year Arts major, from Chehalis, WA scoring seven points, in the quarter, to pace the Griffins.
MacEwan University shot 43 percent in the quarter, for Coach David Oldham who saw his veteran team outscore UBC-O by 11 points to open 13 point advantage at the break. The Griffins offense was well balanced, in addition to Lydon's 10 points, Megan Wood, Edmonton, AB and Kelly O'Hallahan, Ngatea, NZL each added six points in the first half.
The Heat were paced by Claire Elliott, North Vancouver, BC with a team high eight points at halftime. The Heat shot 27 percent in the first half.
The third quarter both defenses put on a clinic as the scoring came at a premium with the Griffins outscored UBC-O by three points, to build their lead to 16 points. The Griffins shot a mere 17 percent in the quarter, holding UBC-O to eight points for a second straight frame.
The Griffins continued to play excellent defense in the final quarter holding UBC-O in check and earning their seventh league victory by 18 points.
"Our goal is to win the Explorer Division and play like a team," said Lydon, who was named the Griffins "player of the game." The guard scored a team high 12 points as the scoring was balanced tonight 10 different Griffins scoring at least two points in the game. Fagan had a brilliant game under the boards tonight, leading MacEwan University with 17 total rebounds.
The Heat were led by Elliott's 12 point performance. Emily Kanester, Vernon, BC added 11 points in the loss to MacEwan University.
The Griffins out rebounded UBC-O, 47-33, for the game.
"I am pleased with the team's first half performance," commented Griffins head coach David Oldham. "We grew as a team, in several key areas over the semester and in December, we will continue to work on the growth of our team for the second semester."
"David has been great, we knew coming into the season, his excellent leadership skills and coaching ability from his years at Spruce Grove would be an asset to our veteran team," said Lydon.
The Griffins now break from their Canada West regular season schedule. The regular season commences the second weekend in January, 2016 with MacEwan University visiting Prince George, BC to face UNBC Timberwolves.
UBC-O 14 8 8 14 = 44 (5-3)
GMU 16 19 11 16 = 62 (7-1)
The MacEwan University Griffins are the 14 athletic teams that represent MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta, in seven sports. The university's teams are members of Canadian Interuniversity Sport and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association, and compete in the Canada West Universities Athletics Association and Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference.
For further information on the MacEwan University Griffins please contact David Kent, at 780-497-5324 or by email at kentd22@macewan.ca and Junelle Mah, at 780-289-3037 or by email at mahj67@macewan.ca.
Photo Credit: Len Joudrey, Griffins Athletics