It wasn't how either Basketball team wanted to enter the Christmas Break, as the Royals were handed a pair of losses Friday night to the Saint Clair Saints. The games in Windsor were the final matches of the semester for both Women's and Men's Basketball teams as neither return to league play until January 10th. 

The Women's team, decimated with injuries, were overmatched by the 8-2 Saints, losing 87-45. Redeemer only had 6 players available for the match while St. Clair countered with 11 players getting playing time. Redeemer's Jessica Angelini finished with a game-high 19 points, playing all 40 minutes. Tobie Brinkman had a solid game for the Royals as well, recording 16 points and 16 rebounds. The double-double was Brinkman's 4th of the season and her 3rd consecutive. 

Noor Bazzi had a team-high 18 points for the Saints in the win. 

The loss for Redeemer was their 8th straight to start the season. The Royals will take the extended break to focus on getting healthy and preparing to put themselves in a position to make a second-semester run at the playoffs. 

The Men's match had the Royals battling the up-and-coming Saints, ranked #14 in the Country. The Saints were off to a blistering start to begin 2019 before back-to-back losses a week ago. Both teams entered the match with just two blemishes on their record. 

Despite Redeemer's recent basketball success, they haven't played as well in Windsor against the Saints, going 3-2 on the road in their last 5. Comparatively, the Royals have not lost at home to St. Clair since 2015. 

Friday night the trend continued as the Saints handed the Royals their 3rd loss of the season. The Saints held a 43-37 halftime advantage before the Royals used a strong 3rd quarter to close the gap. Redeemer outscored the Saints 22-15 in the 3rd to take a 59-58 lead into the final 10 minutes. The final quarter was tightly contested but the Saints used a 11-5 run midway through the 4th to once again go on top, a lead they would never relinquish. 

Elijah Lostracco had a game-high 23 points for the Royals while former St. Clair Saint, William Lara-0Caston had 9 points and 5 assists in his return to his former school. 

Despite the loss, the Royals will now enter the Christmas Break with an impressive 6-3 record and in 4th place in the competitive OCAA West Division.