LETHBRIDGE, Alta. - The St. Thomas Tommies defeated the Algonquin Thunder 63-57 Saturday afternoon to advance to the bronze medal game against Grant MacEwan Saturday night at 6 p.m.

Players of the game were Stacey Poapst for the Thunder and Brittany Gilliss for St. Thomas. 

"We just wanted to run and make it as physical a game as possible," says head coach for St. Thomas Fred Connors. "We were hoping to wear their legs out but have to give them credit they were a tough competitor." 

Top scorer for the Algonquin was Jesa Reda with 13 points and Brittany Gilliss of St. Thomas with 14 points. 

In the first quarter, the Tommies built a six-point lead, but after that the Thunder came back exchanging baskets in both courts. The quarter ended with St.Thomas ahead 20-15. 

In the second quarter both teams maintained their aggressive play. The Tommies built up a lead into the double digits that the Thunder were able to get down to just six points at one time in the quarter. The second quarter ended in the Tommies favour, 34-26. 

The third quarter started with both teams fighting hard to be the first to the ball. After just two minutes, the Tommies cranked their lead from eight up to 14. Algonquin player Trish Grey suffered a leg injury, returning several minutes later. 

The third quarter had the audience turning their heads constantly, following the ball from end to end. After back-to-back baskets by Algonquin all-star player Sandra Bascoe and a basket by Jennifer Wolfe-Bard, the Thunder were only down five. 

A foul shot made good by Algonquin's Stacey Poapst closed the gap even further, but the Tommies answered back, leaving the score at the end of the third 50-38 for St. Thomas. 

Starting the fourth quarter 12 points behind, the Thunder kept their spirits up, the bronze medal hope still a reality for them. Abeer Farhat, scored the first basket of the quarter for the Thunder, a solid three-point shot. 

Both teams continued to run end to end, the Thunder missed several lay-ups near the end of the fourth. Ashley Bawn of St. Thomas collided with a player from Algonquin with only 20 seconds left on the clock. 

"We competed in the bronze medal game last year so we know it's going to be a challenge," says Connors. "I expect it to be a scrappy dog fight and we'll just make it a tight physical game."

Championship Website: ccaawomensbasketball2012.ca

Source: Lethbridge College