MBB Weekend Recap | October 26 & 27, 2018
The Lakeland Rustlers Men's Basketball team faced the Augustana Vikings on the weekend, splitting the series, with each team winning on their home court. The Rustlers won a thriller Friday night in Lloydminster 94-93, and the Vikings won 89-78 Saturday night in Camrose.
The Rustlers controlled the game for the first three quarters Friday night in Lloydminster, outscoring the Vikings in each of the first three quarters. The two teams went back and forth in the first quarter, with the Rustlers leading 19-17 after one. The Rustlers extended their lead in the second quarter, leading 45-36 at the half. In the third quarter, the teams once again went back and forth, with the Rustlers outscoring the Vikings 26-24 in the quarter, giving them the 71-60 lead heading into the fourth. The Vikings fought back in the fourth quarter, taking a one-point lead with less than 30 seconds left in the game. The Rustlers missed a shot with less than 10 seconds left, but a turnover following the rebound by the Vikings gave the Rustlers the chance to hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer. Second year guard Rashon Russell got the ball and hit a huge shot at the buzzer, giving the Rustlers the 94-93 win.
The Rustlers were led by third year guard Adrian Richards with 24 points, ten six rebounds, and ten assists, earning him Player of the Game. Third year guard Brandon Isaac added 23 points, one rebound, and five assists, while Russell had 16 points, six rebounds and eight assists, including the game-winning shot.
The Rustlers looked to get the sweep Saturday night in Camrose, but the Vikings looked to avenge the Friday night loss. The Rustlers came out strong in the first quarter and took the early 23-14 lead after ten minutes. The Vikings fought back in the second quarter, cutting into the Rustlers lead, but it was the Rustlers who would lead 42-38 at the half. In the third quarter, the Vikings exploded for 29 points, while the Rustlers struggled to score, only scoring 13 points. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Vikings led 67-55. The Rustlers fought back in the fourth, outscoring the Vikings 23-22 in the quarter, but the Vikings lead was too much. When the final buzzer sounded, the Rustlers found themselves on the losing end of an 89-78 game.
Richards once again led the Rustlers with 22 points and three rebounds in just 23 minutes, while fourth year forward Artavis Holiday added 15 points and eight rebounds.
Next weekend, the Rustlers (2-2) take on the Concordia Thunder (4-0), in what should be an exciting game. Last season, the Rustlers defeated the Thunder in the ACAC Semi-Final, helping the Rustlers earn a trip to the CCAA Men's Basketball Championships.
The Rustlers will play at home on Friday night at 8 pm with the rematch Saturday night at 8 pm in Edmonton.