SPORTS. Know the score? Contact the editor at sports@theotherpress.ca Royals come close against kermodes oming into the game, the Quest Kermodes Courtnie Martin Sports Reporter Royals in Quest surely expected an easy win, seeing as Douglas’ women’s basketball team dropped their opening game 61-33 to Langara. The crowd was enthusiastically behind the Kermodes—who seemed set for a walk in the park— but the Royals gave them a rude awakening. The team’s camaraderie and high energy left Quest rattled in the first 20 minutes of play. Douglas took its opponent by surprise with aggressive defence, quick court speed, and hands down shooting in the first half. Adelia Paul rounded up three huge three-pointers, pushing the momentum of the game in Douglas’ favour. Quest could not seem to find the bottom of the net until the last two minutes of the half, when they knocked down three major baskets. The final drive was a buzzer beater, giving them the lead into half-time and seemingly cooling down the fiery Royals. In the first few minutes of the quarter, both teams seemed stagnant in their offensive sets, turning the ball over on both ends of the floor, until the Kermodes broke the slump with three consecutive mid-range jumpers . Douglas allowed the four-point game to creep away in the fourth quarter. Foul trouble was knocking on Douglas’ door early in the final 10 minutes of battle: Chloe Kennedy, Paul, and Garaline Tom had fouls, causing the Royals to let up defensively. Quest found their Photo courtesy of Courtnie Martin footing with eight minutes remaining in the contest. Quick passing and dribble penetration left key shooters open, allowing easy opportunities at the rim. Quest capitalized on every defensive breakdown. With three minutes remaining, the Royals were down nine points. Nanaya Miki remained aggressive on the offensive end, attacking the basket and shooting free throws after every dribble penetration, scoring 17 of the Royals’ points. Both teams exchanged baskets until the clock read 1:37 of play left. Coach Nelson felt it necessary to play good solid defence without intentionally fouling to stop the clock. At the end of contest, Quest came out on top: 73-61. “T think we played very well, and as a team. Everyone expected us to get blown out and we proved them wrong. I was really disappointed we lost because I felt we could’ve won if we adjusted some of the little things. Overall, the team played together and we poured our hearts out. The crowd was a tough one, but we tried to remain focussed,” said Paul, who finished the game with 15 points and seven rebounds. Although the Royals have begun the redemption process, they recognize they still have a ways to go before becoming the successful team they know they are capable of being. Unbearable Mens basketball loses comtortable lead against Kermodes Ab fter watching the women’s basketball team suffer a devastating loss in the game, the men came out hungry as ever to defeat Quest University. The team seemed focussed and ready for an upset. From the tip-off, Douglas seemed to control the game. The Royals set the tone in the first quarter, with no signs of letting up. They defended their territory very well, seldom allowing the Kermodes to have second opportunities in their own fully packed gym. Both teams saw considerable offensive success in the first 10 minutes Courtnie Martin Sports Reporter 18 of play, walking into the second at a deadlock: 32-32. The Royals’ offensive output would carry over into the next quarter. Ameet Kaila hit two big three’s, giving and then extending Douglas’ lead at the four-minute mark. Quest committed several turnovers | think we had a good first half We didnt take care of the ball in the second half offensively while defensive aggressor Dustin Popoff snatched a series of important rebounds on defence. Both teams went on a scoring run for the next two minutes, but the highlight was first- year player Grant Campbell silencing the crowd after Baron was called for two consecutive offensive fouls. Quest called a quick time out and came out eager to play. The Royals had trouble keeping their possessions alive—committing turnover after turnover—and Quest made them pay on each and they went ona big run. It wasnt a bad game at all. The effort just wasnt there second half They ran up on us and we didnt respond the way we should have. | thought it was a good learning experience for us. Once we learn to roll with the punches in a game like this, we will be fine. — Kristian Hildebrandt back-to-back, allowing Douglas second and third opportunities at the basket. Douglas began running lay-up drills on the Kermodes, and Quest’s coach became frantic and called a time out to stop Douglas from showcasing their talents any further. Douglas still continued to attack the rim draining a huge three-pointer with a Kermode hand in his face. On the other end of the floor, Kaila made an athletic block causing the Royals to go wild. Douglas took an 11-point lead into half-time. The momentum of the game changed when Andrew occasion. The once quiet fans began their loud cheering again. Douglas struggled with answering from this point on. Within four minutes Douglas came unraveled and the Kermodes took the lead for the remainder of the game. Douglas was successful at the three-point line but had no response to the crowd or the change of pace. Coach Beausoleil called two timeouts back-to-back, but this proved ineffective in slowing Quest’s run. The Royals looked defeated and the scoreboard reflected that. The last quarter was very much the same pace. Douglas had some great opportunities at the basket but they were unable to climb back out of the hole. Quest took the victory in a 98-8. “T think we had a good first half. We didn’t take care of the ball in the second half and they went on a big run. It wasn’t a bad game at all. The effort just wasn’t there second half. They ran up on us and we didn’t respond the way we should have. I thought it was a good learning experience for us. Once we learn to roll with the punches in a game like this, we will be fine,” said captain Kristian Hildebrandt.