Kodiaks start off weekend with wins over Red Deer Polytechnic

By Lethbridge Herald on November 25, 2022.

Herald photo by Justin SEWARD Lethbridge College KodiaksÕ Courtney Deemter drives through Red Deer Polytechnic defenders for a shot at the basket during Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference play on Friday at Val Matteotti gym.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The South Division-leading Lethbridge College Kodiaks women’s basketball took care of business on Friday night with a  79-67 win  over Red Deer Polytechnic at Val Matteotti gym.

Catriona Smith had a strong game as a reserve with six points, three-for-three in field goals made, one offensive rebound and five defensive rebounds  and one assist to earn Player of the Game.

Courtney Deemter had 27 points in the win.

“It was a team win,” said Smith.

“We rebounded together, played as a team, found each other open shots and just played as a team.”

The win was a bit of redemption for the Kodiaks after a tough 79-58 loss at Concordia last Saturday.

“It was important,” said Smith.

“We wanted to come out and prove that we could beat this team — like win as a group — and keep  that game in the past and start a new series this weekend,” said Smith.

Smith thought when RDP went on their runs that LC had to fight back together and pushing to go on a run of their own while stopping theirs.

“Just tonight was rebounding,” said head coach Ken McMurray.

“And the last time we played them in the preseason exhibition tournament up in Red Deer, they just clocked us on the boards and I felt like we did a pretty good job tonight. We out rebounded them by about six or so. So I think that’s the difference, we have to rebound with teams. We’re not that big, we’ve just got to fight and they did that tonight.”

McMurray was pleased with Smith’s play on the night.

“She’s playing on a bad knee and this is kind of her first full year of playing completely from start to finish and it  just thrills me to see her go out and play,” said McMurray.

“Because she can only go out and play two minutes at a time before that knee tires a little bit. But she was in the right position tonight, got some really key rebounds for us.”

As for Deemter, McMurray said her motor never stops.

“She ended up with 27 points tonight and was all over the floor,” said McMurray.

“So proud of her and her energy kind of helps feed the rest of our team.”

The team’s record improved to 7-2 on the season and both teams will be play again at LC today at 1 p.m.
The men’s team remained undefeated after beating RDP 91-88 in the second game on Friday.
Those teams will clash again at 3 p.m. today at LC.