Trojans slow out of the gates in home opener

CALGARY, ALTA., (Oct. 18, 2019) - The start of the season did not go as anticipated for the SAIT Trojans women's basketball team.

The Trojans spotted the visiting St. Mary's University a 30-point lead late in the second quarter, but made a game of it late, to ultimately fall 61-48 in the first game of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) season for both teams.

"Too little, too late," said Trojans head coach Ranbir Parmar. "We got things sorted out in the second half, but we dug too big a hole. Sometimes you're so far down that slippery slope, that getting back up is too hard to do. That was the issue today."

SAIT falls to 0-1 on the season. St. Mary's climbs to 1-0.

By the time the first quarter came to a close, the Lightning had amassed a 34-9 lead. That lead turned to 30 by halftime.

In the second half, however, the Trojans finally woke up and started scoring like their head coach know they're capable of.

Over the course of the final 20 minutes of play, SAIT outscored their guests 30-13 to make a game of it late.

"It's the first game of a long 21-game schedule, and the girls showed that they do have the guts," Parmar said. "We challenged them at halftime to go back out there and let them know the game wasn't over, and that's what we did."

Kendal Russell (2nd year, Strathmore, Alta., Academic Upgrading) led the Trojans with 19 points and eight rebounds. Teammate Skyler MacDonald (2nd year, Vancouver, BC, Business Administration) added eight points and six assists.

Madi Gladstone paced the Lightning with a game-high 20 points.

The Trojans will return to action next weekend when they head to Red Deer and take on the Queens in a 6pm start.