LETHBRIDGE, Alta. - Friday's games at the BMO CCAA 2012 Women's Basketball Nationals were kicked off with a match-up between the Seneca Sting and the St. Thomas Tommies.

The game started off as a tight match up but St. Thomas gained control and never looked back, winning the game 87-56. 

The Sting came into the game after losing their first match-up to the Grant MacEwan Griffins on Thursday. The Tommies were defeated in their last match up against the Sainte-Foy Dynamiquies. 

In the beginning of the first quarter a few successful baskets gave the Sting a quick lead. The Tommies were unable to put anything away including quite a few missed foul shots. 

Half way into the first quarter the Tommies gained some momentum and closed the gap on the scoreboard. A clean three-pointer by Tommies Kelly Debow brought the score within two points. 

With a tight first quarter the two teams seem to be evenly matched ending the first quarter 23-21 in favour of the Sting. 

The Sting scrambled to keep the score close but failed, only gaining six points in the second quarter. 

The Tommies dominated the entire second quarter, took the lead, and ended the first half at 40-29. 

In the second half, the Tommies continued their game with tight passes and quick rebound attempts. Debow sunk a clean three-pointer to continue the Tommies lead. 

The Sting's Tara Minicuci scored two successful foul shots adding to Seneca's score but Seneca was unable to close the gap on the scoreboard and ended the third quarter 67-41. 

Both teams came into the final quarter playing aggressively. 

The Sting gained a little bit of momentum but the Tommies remained the dominant team on the court moving the ball faster and playing more offensively.  The game ended with the final score 87- 56 for the Tommies. 

Players of the game for the St. Thomas Tommies were Debow with 17 points and Sihen Berhe for the Seneca Sting, who ended the game with 13 points. 

The St. Thomas Tommies will now face the loser of the game between Dawson College Blues and Algonquin College Thunder on Saturday at noon. 

The Seneca Sting will play the losing team of the game between Lethbridge College Kodiaks and UNBC Timberwolves, on Saturday at 2 p.m. MT. The winning and losing teams of this game will claim seventh and eighth place in the championship. 

All games can be seen via webcast on sportscanada.tv. 

Championship Website: ccaawomensbasketball2012.ca 

Source: Lethbridge College with files from OCAA Communications