ANCASTER, ON - The Redeemer Royals welcomed the Lambton Lions to campus on Friday night. The evening marked Senior Night, honouring one of the program's all-time greats,
Talia Vreugdenhil, for her outstanding career in a Royals uniform.
The game opened at a quick pace, with both sides knocking down early three-pointers to set the tone. Redeemer found a rhythm late in the first quarter, edging ahead 15-14 after ten minutes. As they have all season, the Royals controlled the glass, turning strong rebounding into second-chance opportunities and defensive stops.
Redeemer extended its lead in the second quarter, tightening up defensively while continuing to dominate the boards. The Royals carried a 35-25 advantage into halftime, looking firmly in control on their home floor.
The third quarter turned into a defensive battle, with neither team reaching double digits. Both sides contested every possession, forcing tough shots and limiting clean looks at the rim. While offence was at a premium, Redeemer maintained its composure and held its lead heading into the final frame.
Lambton, however, surged in the fourth. The Lions found their shooting touch and applied relentless pressure defensively, forcing key turnovers down the stretch. Capitalizing at the free-throw line, Lambton closed the game on a decisive run, outscoring the Royals 22-8 in the quarter to claim a 56-51 victory.
Sydney Lazenby continued her strong stretch of play, leading Redeemer with 17 points. Vreugdenhil delivered a fitting Senior Night performance, recording a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds while anchoring the Royals on both ends of the floor. Rookie
Sophia VanRaalte was a force on the glass, pulling down a team-high 14 rebounds.
Lambton was paced by Maddy Bishop, who poured in 24 points and shot an impressive 50 percent from beyond the arc, providing the offensive spark the Lions needed in the closing minutes.
Redeemer now will look to regroup quickly as they host the St.Clair Saints Saturday afternoon at 1:00 PM.
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