Trojans end season with tough loss to Lions
CALGARY, ALTA., (Feb. 22, 2019) — How else would the season end for the SAIT Trojans women's basketball team but with a hard luck loss.
The Trojans missed a free throw with just six seconds left that would have tied the game, as they fell 63-62 to the visiting Ambrose University Lions in their Friday night Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) regular season finale.
The loss ends the year for SAIT, who will miss the playoffs for first time in 15 years.
"The results weren't there for us this season, but there's still enough memories for us to look back on positively," said Trojans head coach Bir Parmar. "There was a ton of learning that happened, and at the end, we had a ton of support and a big crowd. That was nice to see."
SAIT's season comes to a close with a 5-16 record. Ambrose ended with a 4-17 mark.
"We worked our horses until the very end, and came up one point short once again," Parmar said. "It was good to see our team never quit."
One of those horses was Martina Allen (5th year, Calgary, Business Administration). Allen was recognized after the game for playing all five years of her career at SAIT. In her time with the Trojans, Allen did just about everything – playing any position, guarding any player.
"What do you say about a kid who was here five years, and hardly ever missed a practice, played through injuries," Parmar beamed. "Here she was tonight leading us on both sides of the ball. She'll be missed."
Trojans post Mel Thera (5th year, Winnipeg, Man., EMT – Paramedic) finished her post-secondary athletic with a huge game, scoring nine points and hauling down 23 rebounds – one short of her ACAC single-game record.
She played just two seasons with SAIT after playing her first three with the Olds College Broncos.
"She was away for a big part of the first semester on her practicum, but she got going in the second half and played amazing," Parmar stated. "She adds a dimension that any team in this league would be happy to have."
Mel Woolley (5th year, Sturgeon County, Alta., Bachelor of Business Administration) suffered a season-ending injury a few weeks back, but started in her final game. Once the tip was won, the Trojans stepped out of bounds to force a whistle and give Woolley one last moment with her team.
"In my 20 years of coaching, I have never had someone embrace my defensive philosophy the way she has," explained Parmar. "She will be someone I reference back to when trying to instill a culture of hard work on my teams going forward."