SENECA FALLS IN OPENING ROUND OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL NATIONALS

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. - The Grant MacEwan Griffins started out the national competition on the right foot showing why they are the top team in the country and undefeated this season.

The second game of the BMO CCAA Women's Basketball Nationals was a matchup between the top-ranked Griffins and the eighth-seeded Seneca Sting, with the Griffins winning 87-65.

Seneca's Samantha Evans scored the first two points of game and the Sting were able to keep the score close in the beginning of the first quarter after a few successful layups.

However, the Griffins quickly took control scoring a few unanswered baskets and ended the first quarter with a 23-10 lead.

The Griffins continued to pressure the Sting with a full court press and took more control in a game they were already dominating.

Seneca attempted to fight their way back, but were unsuccessful and ended the first half with a score of 45-28.

Top players in the first half of the game were Jessilyn Fairbanks for Grant MacEwan with 10 points and Tara Minicuci for the Seneca Sting with seven points.

The Griffins came out in the third quarter playing very aggressive with fast break offense.

MacEwan continued to utilize the six-foot height of key players Erin MacKinnon, Kelley Fagan and Kristen Monasterski to dominate the boards.

Sting's Sharika Smith tried to shift her team's momentum by sinking a three pointer, but the third quarter ended in favour of MacEwan 69-49.

In the final quarter, Sting player Evans got caught with a hard elbow to the face. She did not return to the game.

The Sting fought hard to close the gap, but weren't able to catch up to the Griffins.

Kristin Monasterski lived up to her All-Canadian status collecting 13 points and seven rebounds this game.

The players of the game were Fairbanks for the Griffins and Evans for the Sting.

The Griffins will be in action next against the College de Ste. Foy Dynamiques on Friday at 6 p.m. MT.

The Sting will return to the court on Friday as well facing the St. Thomas University Tommies at 1 p.m. MT.

Source: Lethbridge College