The Briercrest College Clippers came as close as they could to picking up a critical two game sweep in Alberta College Athletic Conference women's basketball this past weekend, but were unable to do so settling for a split with the Lethbridge College Kodiaks.
Lethbridge took an 83-80 win in the opening contest Friday before the Clippers were able to rebound with a 68-65 victory in Saturday's rematch.
The split was especially difficult in that it officially ended the Clippers mid-season surge and their quest for a playoff spot, as they now hold a 9-10 record and are eight points back of fourth-place St. Mary's with two games to play.
In Friday's contest, the Clippers took a 39-33 lead into the half and led 60-51 heading into the fourth quarter, only to see Lethbridge rally for the victory.
Adrianna Beck led Briercrest with 28 points, including five three pointers, while Tracy Lewis added 16 points and Amber Tilcox 13. Lewis also picked up 13 rebounds.
Saturday's rematch saw the Clippers take a 60-42 lead into the final quarter and again saw a Kodiaks surge where they outscored 22-8 before Briercrest was able to hang on.
Tilcox led the Clippers with 17 points and 20 rebounds, Lewis picked up 14 points, Victoria Voth added 11 and Beck 10.
Briercrest College closes out their season next weekend when they host Red Deer College (6 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday, Margaret P. Reimer gym).
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The Clippers men's team didn't have as much luck in their two contests with Lethbridge as they lost 94-58 Friday and dropped a 93-55 decision Saturday.
Aaron Adrian scored 18 points to lead Briercrest (2-16) in the opening game, with C.J. Greer adding 12 points. The Clippers trailed 47-31 at half.
The scoreline was similar in Saturday's game, as Lethbridge (10-9) built a 49-30 lead at the break and never looked back. Nicholas Gregerson scored 14 point to lead Briercrest.
The Clippers play their final two games of the season next weekend against Red Deer (8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, Margaret P. Reimer gym).
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The Briercrest College women's volleyball team went into the weekend at Ambrose College with first place in the ACAC South Division sown up – thanks to their 20-2 record at the time – but they were unable to close out their campaign with a victory after losing twice to the Lions.
Ambrose (16-8) won Friday's match 3-2 (25-27, 23-25, 25-18, 25-22, 15-10). Becky Garner led the Clippers with 17 kills and 44 digs, Mia Harder recorded 12 kills and Justine Collin picked up 12.
Saturday's rematch saw Ambrose win 3-1 (26-24, 25-23, 22-25, 25-23) in another close battle. Garner had 11 kills and 23 digs for Briercrest, Ashley Erickson recorded 30 assists and 32 digs.
Next up is the ACAC championship tournament at Ambrose College in Calgary, with the Clippers opening the event Thursday against the fourth seeds in the North Division, the Grande Prairie Wolves. The semifinals take place Friday and gold medal game on Saturday.
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There were no such difficulties for the Clippers men's volleyball squad as they picked up a pair of 3-0 wins 25-21, 25-19, 25-21 on Friday and 27-25, 25-20, 27-25 on Saturday.
The first contest saw 13 kills from Bryton Codd to go along with 22 assists and 12 digs from Emmitt Juul-Hansen. Karym Coleman led the way Saturday with nine kills as Hansen had 21 assists and Jared Krogen 14 digs.
Briercrest finished the regular season with a 13-11 record, good enough for fourth place and a spot in this weekend's playoffs at NAIT in Edmonoton. They take on North Division first place Kings College (22-2) in their first game Thursday.
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The Clippers men's hockey team split their two game set with Concordia University of Edmonton, a result that could have playoff implications as Briercrest (5-18-1-0) trails the Thunder (6-18-1-1) by only three points with two games in hand.
Briercrest won Friday's game 4-3 after Austin Kozluk scored with 2:56 remaining to break a 3-3 draw. Jackson Siemens had tied the game only three minutes earlier. Dawson Atamanchuk and Josiah Friesen also scored for the Clippers. Dan Deckoning made 37 saves for the win.
The rematch on Saturday was as close as could be: Concordia's Adam Wheeldon scored the only goal of the game late in the third as the Eagles picked up the 1-0 win.
Deckoning made 31 saves in the loss.
Briercrest College will attempt to put those games in hand into action when they host SAIT (16-7-0-0) for games next weekend (7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, Barkman Arena).
