It turned out to be a short and not-so-sweet experience for the Quest Kermodes women's basketball team at the CCAA nationals in Quebec.
Quest, which entered the tournament having just won the Pacwest tournament crown, placed eighth in the eight-team tournament and lost all three games at the event.
The Kermodes drew the Grant MacEwan Griffins on Thursday (March 13) and didn't have an answer for Griffins' inside presence, Megan Wood, who had 29 points and 11 rebounds. Quest was outrebounded 43-29 and only grabbed five offensive boards.
Fouls were another issue for Quest. Guard Andrea Eidsvik fouled out in the fourth quarter after having a solid game with 14 points and six rebounds. The team picked up 21 fouls, with four players drawing three apiece. Shayna Cameron was the top scorer for Quest with 15 points.
The team's issues on the boards continued on Friday (March 14) against the Augustana Vikings from Camrose, Alta., as they were outrebounded 54-22 and lost 90-74. Fouls again hurt the team, with guard Abbey Piazza and forward Katrin Sandbichler reaching the limit. Eidsvik had another strong game with 15 points and three steals and was named player of the game for Quest.
The final game of the tournament for the Kermodes saw Quest lose 82-78 in overtime to the Champlain Cavaliers. Quest outscored the Cavs 18-8 in the fourth quarter to force the extra frame, but didn't have enough to beat them.
Sandbichler was named player of the game as she picked up 23 points, 14 rebounds and four steals. However, she fouled out and was a non-factor in overtime. Cameron added 15 points and eight rebounds and Eidsvik scored 12 points, dished out six assists and grabbed eight rebounds.
Quebec's Normades de Montmorencey defeated New Brunswick's St. Thomas Tommies 59-54 in the gold-medal game on Saturday.
For more details on the tournament, visit www.ccaa.ca/national-championship-s15097.
