Moose Jaw's Macaela Crone (front) and Libby Epoch celebrate their bronze medal win at the 17U Women's Basketball National Championship in Edmonton. (submitted photo by Tammy Crone)Macaela Crone and Libby Epoch helped Team Saskatchewan to a big win on Wednesday at the 17U Women's Basketball National Championship in Edmonton.

The two Peacock basketball players and Saskatchewan up ended British Columbia 70-61 thanks to a big fourth quarter in the bronze medal game at the Saville Sports Centre.

“It was so awesome,” said Epoch. “Last year after getting fourth was kind of a big disappointment to me and this is my last year playing for Team Sask, so I just really wanted to get a medal and we accomplished that.”

Epoch was key in Saskatchewan's win in the final posting ten points, six rebounds and five assists in the win.

“I was really pleased with my play, but it really didn't matter as long as we won bronze, that's all I had my eyes on,” said Epoch.

Crone chipped in with eight points and five rebounds for her best game of the tournament on the scoresheet, while Saskatoon's Kyla Shand led all scorers with 16 points.

Saskatchewan trailed by three points in the final few minutes of the game, but went on a run to climb in front and then were able to make some big shots to hold on for the win. Crone said it was a very intense game down the stretch.

“As the game kept going, both teams were fighting pretty hard and in the end, we just fought harder,” said Crone. “It just shows how strong our team was, we knew we were one of the better teams here and we wanted to end off on a good note.”

Coming off a 60-40 loss to Ontario in the semifinal on Tuesday night, Saskatchewan was looking for a bounce back performance. They got it and were able to bring home some hardware because of it.

“We all know what it takes to win and we just knew that the game was never over and fought to the last minute,” said Epoch.

This was Epoch's last year playing for Team Saskatchewan as she enters her senior season with the Peacock Toilers girls basketball team. She said the experience of playing for her province in 15U and 17U has really helped her game grow.

“I've just made some many friends and family with this team and basketball-wise, I've learned a lot of new moves for one-on-one, when you play against players as good, or better than, you, you how to be physical and shoot the ball with a hand in your face,” said Epoch.

The win also wraps up a busy summer for Crone, who captured gold with Team Canada at the FIBA U16 Americas tournament in June. She said she's grown so much as a player over the past two months.

“I'm just going to bring back what I've learned to Peacock and just work hard during the offseason until basketball season starts up,” said Crone.

Ontario went on to win the gold medal, beating Manitoba 67-55 in the final.

Crone and Epoch's teammate at Peacock, Katherine McDougall had two points, three assists and two steals in a 39-35 win for Team Saskatchewan over BC in the seventh place game of the 15-and-under tournament.