MBB Weekend Recap | October 19 & 20, 2018

MBB Weekend Recap | October 19 & 20, 2018
October 22, 2018

The regular season got underway for the Lakeland Rustlers Men's Basketball team over the weekend, as the Rustlers took on the NAIT Ooks.

The Rustlers were in Edmonton Friday night to open their season, and both teams came out quick to start the game.  The teams were tied at 13 after the first quarter, before the Rustlers pulled away in the second, taking a 36-26 lead at the half.  The Ooks tried to battle back in the third quarter, but the Rustlers would extend their lead to 61-44 after three quarters.  In the fourth quarter, the Ooks outscore the Rustlers 23-22, but the lead the Rustlers had built earlier in the game helped them to secure the 83-67 win. 

The Rustlers were led by second year guard Rashon Russell with 29 points and four rebounds.  Fourth year forward Artavis Holiday added 21 points and nine rebounds, while third year guard Adrian Richards had 16 points, seven assists, two rebounds and two steals for the Rustlers in the win. 

The teams were in Lloydminster Saturday night for the rematch and home opener for the Rustlers.  The roles were reversed from Friday night in the first quarter of Saturday's game, with the Ooks taking control and leading 27-19 after one.  The Rustlers battled back in the second quarter but still found themselves trailing 46-35 at the half.  In the third quarter, the Rustlers locked in defensively and fought to get themselves back into the game, holding the Ooks to just seven points, while scoring 19 of their own, giving them the 54-53 lead heading into the fourth.  The teams were back and forth in the fourth quarter, with both teams looking to secure the win.  The game was close until the final buzzer sounded when the Ooks came away with the 74-72 win.

The Rustlers were led by third year guard Brandon Isaac with 23 points and four rebounds, while Holiday added 16 points and seven rebounds in the loss. 

Player of the Game for the Rustlers was Richards, who finished with 18 points, three rebounds and three steals.

Next weekend, the Rustlers (1-1) take on the Augustana Vikings (1-3) in another home and home series.  The Rustlers play at home Friday night at 8 PM before traveling to Camrose Saturday night for the rematch.