Recaps Below were Written by Jeffrey Misener

Concordia Ekes Out Slim Victory Over Briercrest (Nov 4th, Women's Basketball)

The Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) Thunder (2-0) arrived in Caronport, SK for a North/South division game against the Briercrest Clippers (2-2) in women's basketball action. Both teams opened the game with designs on making it a track meet. Briercrest took an early lead, highlighted by Dori Sunderland's long three. 5th year guard Kaelyn Bryks ordered the offense for CUE with her drives and passing. The Clippers got to the hoop with regularity but struggled to convert their chances. Late in the quarter, CUE guard Jenna Rinsky converted a rare five-point play, giving the visitors a 19-13 edge.

Second-chance opportunities were scant at both ends, but there was plenty of spectacular play in the second frame. Sunderland banked an uncontested layup before Rinsky replied for CUE. Briercrest guard Melissa Ellis dropped a sublime bank shot off a series of crafty moves to make it a one possession game, but Kourtney Oss and Rachel Harvey tallied to give the visitors a ninepoint bulge. After Jasmine Repetski splashed a triple for Briercrest, CUE's Madison Murdoch and Rachel Harvey answered. At the half, Concordia held a 38-29 lead.

CUE scored four quick points after halftime, but Sunderland stole the ball and assisted on Eve Duerksen's score. Both teams featured trapping defense in the quarter and Concordia's forwards started to dominate the glass. Clippers' Hannah Matuszewski scored off a trap and steal, and Sunderland hit another triple and some free throws to end the quarter, with Briercrest down 50-44.

When Bryks swished a three and Harvey converted off an offensive board, the Clippers extended their trapping defense. Ellis, Fichtner, and Madison Beattie worked to slice the CUE lead to one, but down the stretch it was CUE's Kaelyn Bryks who took over, hitting four free throws and blocking a potential game-tying three to give the game to Concordia, 61-58.

Player of the game for CUE was second year guard Jenna Rinsky, who led her team with 13 points, while the Clippers' Dori Sunderland received the honour on the strength of 12 points. Double doubles were had by Thunder forward Rachel Harvey (12 points, 14 rebounds) and Clippers' Amber Fichtner (11 points, 10 boards)

Thunder Hold on For Victory Against Clippers (Nov 4th, Men's Basketball)

On a bright, crisp autumn day in Caronport, SK, the Briercrest Clippers (0-4) hosted the Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) Thunder (1-1) in a cross-division matchup in men's basketball.

Briercrest opened their scoring as centre Zach Martens found Riley Seaborn for an inside hoop. CUE's Yaadvir Dhaliwal and Clippers' Oroma Bongomin exchanged triples as Briercrest built an early 12-7 lead. After CUE's Carsten Ritter and Clippers' Lual Piok traded baskets, Dhaliwal hit his second three to give Concordia a one-point edge after the first frame.

Early in quarter two, Bongomin featured on defense with a steal and two blocks, but his team failed to convert their chances at the rim. Midway through the frame, scoring by Bongomin and Clippers' guard Brolin Simes was matched by Concordia's Kyler Dutka and Dhaliwal. Concordia's Kaleb DeKlerk banked a two before the buzzer, lifting Concordia to a 35-26 halftime advantage.

Martens opened the second half for Briercrest by converting on a three-point play and crushing a pair of dunks, but CUE's Dutka and Alex Maclean rebuilt the visitor's lead. Clipper forward Lual Piok found his scoring touch to cut the lead to three, but Carsten Ritter cancelled his efforts. Dhaliwal's floater before the buzzer gave Concordia a 63-54 lead.

A determined Seaborn assumed the offensive and defensive reins for his side in the last quarter, converting several steals into seven points, but CUE maintained their edge thanks to a team effort. Dhaliwal, Ritter, and Maclean traded threes with Seaborn and Simes, and CUE's Milton Lendlen made a crucial three-point play down the stretch as Concordia held on for an 80-74 victory.

Yaadvir Dhaliwal had a double-double for Concordia (26 points, 10 rebounds) and received Player of the Game honours. Clippers' guard Riley Seaborn scored 21 and collected a team-high seven boards to secure the award for Briercrest. CUE's Carsten Ritter contributed 15 off the bench, hitting five threes, while Briercrest's Brolin Simes netted 13 in a losing cause.

Clippers Record Decisive Win Over TKU (Nov 5th, Women's Basketball)

The King's University Eagles (2-1) rolled into Caronport, SK, for their only visit against the Briercrest Clippers (2-3) in women's basketball. The Eagles were keen to ascend the North Division standings after a Friday victory against Medicine Hat, while the Clippers looked to right the ship after a heartbreaker against Concordia the night before.

The Clippers' early scoring came on drives to the hoop as the home team attacked the paint with purpose. Clippers' forward Brooklyn Martens featured prominently on offense as the hosts built a quick lead. Eagles' Aneilia Ayotte supplied the inside scoring, only to have Clippers' Eve Duerksen match her efforts. Ayotte's final basket of the frame put the visitors behind 26-14.

In the second quarter, Clippers' forward Madison Beattie nailed her second triple, but Ayotte replied with an old-fashioned three-point play. Martens' interior offense and the Clippers' pressure defense stymied the visitors. Ayotte and teammate Kayla Soetaert carried the scoring load for TKU, but the Clippers enjoyed a 46-30 halftime edge.

Early in the third frame, Soetaert and Briercrest's Mackenzie Fredlund traded triples, but both teams committed errors and fouls that slowed the pace of the game. When Ayotte hit the bench with foul trouble, the Clippers once again attacked the rim. Fichtner found Beattie for an open trey as the Clippers buffered their lead, 62-41.

Eagles' Tori Day hit the first triple of the final stanza, but Martens found repeated success at the rim twice. Soetaert continued to launch and make threes, only to have the Briercrest forwards neutralize her offense. Both teams emptied their benches with a few minutes remaining as the Clippers cruised to a 74-60 win.

Player of the Game awards went to a pair of bench players, TKU's Kayla Soetaert (19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists) and Briercrest's Madison Beattie (17 points, four boards). Eagles' Aneilia Ayotte enjoyed an efficient game, hitting 8-of-15 for 21 points, while Clippers' Brooklyn Martens poured in 22 on 10-for-13 shooting.

Clippers Thrill Home Fans with OT Win Over TKU (Nov 5th, Men's Basketball)

The King's University Eagles arrived in Caronport, SK, ahead of the Alberta clipper for a tilt against the Briercrest Clippers, with both teams eager to enter the win column on the young season.

Eagles' Tope-Adedipe's triple from the corner helped push the visitors to a five-point edge, and teammates Nick Gregersen and Cameron Knisely boosted his efforts. Clippers' Riley Seaborn attacked the rim for two, only to be answered by Cornelius Mingo. Brolin Simes hit an open three for Briercrest, but Mingo responded. Clippers' Oroma Bongomin converted a three-point play, and the teams traded late free throws as TKU closed the frame with a 21-16 lead.

Clippers' Jackson Mayes came off the bench to score five points early in the second quarter. Despite Mingo's efforts, TKU relinquished their lead thanks to Briercrest point guard Corbin Gengenbach, who singlehandedly took control of the game, scoring at will, finding open teammates, and controlling the boards. The Clippers completely turned the tables in the quarter and owned a 43-33 advantage at halftime.

After the intermission, TKU's Logan Den Oudsten opened the scoring from the line, but Clippers' Daniel Mullins hit two threes in reply. TKU wrestled the advantage from Briercrest as Mingo, Den Oudsten and Gregersen shared the scoring, but a pair of triples from Simes gave Briercrest a slim 59-56 lead.

Both teams buckled down defensively in the fourth quarter, and early scoring was scarce until Gregersen and Den Oudsten rippled the twine for the Edmonton school. Near the midpoint of the quarter, Mullins stepped confidently into a three and teammate Matthew Bryant followed inside with the hoop-and-harm. Seaborn went toe-to-toe against Gregersen, Mingo and Den Oudsten as the teams traded the lead. Seaborn and Gregersen both fouled out in the final frenetic seconds, setting the stage for Mullins, who converted a three-point play to send the match into overtime.

Bryant swished two free throws to open the extra frame, only to have Den Oudsten and TopeAdedipe respond from close range. Briercrest nosed ahead after Simes' clutch triple, and Gengenbach sealed the deal with a driving layup and nifty assist to a streaking Bryant with five seconds left, giving the host squad an 85-83 triumph, much to the delight of their delirious fans.

Player of the game for TKU was Cornelius Mingo, who splashed a game-high 20 points; teammates Nic Gregersen (17 points) and Logan Den Oudsten (16 points, 12 boards) helped to carry the load. For the Clippers, Daniel Mullins starred with 14 points and 8 boards to earn the honour, with fellow starter Riley Seaborn adding 18 points and 9 boards.