Thunder Fall To Ooks To Close Out First Half

EDMONTON, AB (November 27, 2021) – The Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) Thunder finished their weekend series with the NAIT Ooks Saturday night at home. Falling behind early, the Thunder stormed back in the second quarter to keep things tight down to the wire. But NAIT took control in the fourth quarter and was able to hang on to take this one 76-68.

The first quarter was all NAIT, as they hit their first five shots to put them up by double digits before the game even really got going. The Thunder were able to cut into the deficit, but still trailed 22-12 after the first quarter. The second quarter was Concordia's period, however, as they stormed right back into the game. Lead by Brooke Froment who scored eight points in the quarter, the Thunder outscored NAIT 21-11 in the period to tie things up at 33-33 at half. The third quarter proved how tightly these two teams were to one another as neither team gave the other an inch. Exchanging baskets and leads, neither team was able to pull away from the other as the third quarter ended with a 52-51 Concordia lead. The fourth quarter started the same way the third quarter ended, with both teams playing a tight game and not giving any ground to the other. That changed as the game came to the wire, as NAIT was finally able to separate themselves and pulled away at the end as they took this one 76-68.

After the game, Thunder head coach Robbie Valpreda commented: "I'm very proud of how these young women performed this weekend against a veteran team in NAIT. We got the weekend split and competed, battled and were resilient both nights. Unfortunately, tonight, our decision making, turnovers and missed baskets in the last two minutes hurt us."

The One Team Sports Players of the Game were #8 Aliyah Johnson for NAIT and #12 Madison Murdoch for Concordia.

The Thunder now head into the Christmas break looking to rest and recharge for the home stretch of the regular season in the new year. They return to action the weekend of January 14 as they host the Keyano Huskies for a weekend double header.