Final Minute Takeover

EDMONTON, AB (January 14^th, 2023) - Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) Thunder welcomed the Augustana Vikings to kick off the 2023 regular season. In an intense battle throughout the entire game, the Vikings pushed hard to earn the title of defeating the undefeated.

In the first quarter, we saw both teams slowly finding their footing. With multiple 3-pointers finding the bottom of the basket Thunder gain their first lead, up 18-7 in the first. The second quarter started out on a faster pace with each team trading threes to start, soon after the Thunder start out rebounding and finding shots from all over the floor and go on a run to get a 13-point lead. Both teams firing from all cylinders on offense, and the Thunder lead 36-23. After the half, the Vikings really came to life and were able to reduce CUE's lead to seven. Shortly after the Thunder bring some more energy and leave it 49-39 at the end of the third. The Vikings brought the aggression in the fourth quarter and bring it to within four points with two minutes remaining. Despite Cherniwchan doing everything offensively for the Thunder. With less than a minute and the Vikings land a three-pointer that put them on top for the first time in the game, they take a two-point lead and finish 64-62. Head Coach Robbie Valpreda commented "I thought we played hard but they definitely played harder, we missed opportunities and didn't get two hands on the defensive side.

The One Team Sport players of the game were #3 Jenessa Doctor from the Vikings, with 12 points in the game. From the Thunder, #8 Raeesa Cherniwchan with 22 points in the night, we saw #8 demonstrate her power and skill. The next home game for the Thunder takes place on January 28^th against the NAIT Ooks for a battle of Edmonton.