Lethbridge Kodiaks Sports Info

The University of Alberta – Augustana Vikings used a dominant performance on the boards to spearhead a 65-52 semi-final victory over the St. Mary's Lightning at the ACAC Women's Basketball Championship Friday night at Lethbridge College.

With the win, the Vikings claim a seat at the 2023 CCAA National Championship, qualifying for just the second time in team history and will be looking for their first ACAC Championship title tomorrow night.

The Vikings out-rebounded the Lightning by a 55-27 margin, an effort that was a focus for Augustana coming into the game.

 "Playing against bigger teams really prepared us for this," said Vikings head coach Megan Wickstrom, whose players have clearly learned to box out like demons beneath the boards. "Knowing we had a size advantage and we're a good rebounding team to begin with, we knew we could control the boards."

 Another preparation focus was on controlling the Lightning's quickness, in particular South Player of the Year Andria Stitt (third year, Biology, Birmingham, Ala.).

 "They're dangerous on the dribble and force you to help and rotate," said Wickstrom, adding it was important to limit Stitt's opportunities to create plays for St. Mary's. She credited Augustana's five-foot-10 forward Tayah Fiveland (third year, Westerose, Alta.) with doing a superb defensive job to contain Stitt.

 On offence, the Vikings showed discipline and ball movement, and it wasn't by accident.

"We've been much better against zones as the season went on," said Wickstrom. "Our focus was to be more selective with our shots and not just take the first option."

 Player of the Game Lauren Cardinal (fifth year, Prince Albert, Sask.) and guard Jenessa Doctor (third year, Gibbons, AB) led a balanced Augustana attack with 13 points each. Kamryn De Klerk (second year, Rolly View, Alta.) and Fiveland contributed 12 and 10 points respectively.

Cardinal also led the rebounding parade with 19 boards, followed by Fiveland with 14.

 Maitlynn Wilde (third year, Elementary Education, Lethbridge) poured in a game-high 23 points to earn Player of the Game honours for St. Mary's. Stitt and Danya Osterling (fifth year, Bachelor of Education – Secondary, Calgary) chipped in eight points apiece.

 The win propels the Vikings to the national championships by virtue of the ACAC holding a wild-card spot. It will be the first time at nationals for Wickstrom, who is excited about the opportunity.

After the teams battled to a 14-14 deadlock at the end of the first quarter, Augustana opened a 24-16 advantage after the Vikings' Cardinal hit a three-pointer, then followed with a jumper from just beyond the foul line.

 Back-to-back threes by Osterling and Stitt pulled St. Mary's to within 24-22 with three minutes left in the half before an Augustana run produced a 32-24 halftime margin.

 The Vikings out-rebounded the Lightning 29-14 in the opening half, with Cardinal and Fiveland grabbed nine boards apiece.

Augustana opened up a 20-point lead, 50-30, late in the third quarter before ending the period with a 52-36 advantage. They led by as many as 22 in the final period en route to the final 13-point margin.

Players of the Game:

Lightning: #10 Maitlynn Wilde

Vikings: #9 Lauren Cardinal