MBB Weekend Update | November 2 & 3, 2018
It was a tough weekend for the Lakeland Rustlers Men's Basketball team, as they took on the Concordia Thunder. Heading into the weekend, the Rustlers were 2-2, while the Thunder were 4-0 and ranked 10th nationally.
The Rustlers were in Lloydminster Friday night, and the game was close and exciting through all four quarters. Both teams struggled to score in the first quarter, but it was the Thunder who would leave 12-11 after ten minutes. In the second quarter, both teams began to find their scoring touch. The Rustlers would outscore the Thunder in the quarter and take a 36-34 lead into the second half.
It was the third quarter that would prove to be the difference maker for the Thunder, as they put up 29 points in the quarter compared to the Rustlers 20, and the Rustlers found themselves trailing 63-56 heading into the fourth. The Rustlers made a push in the fourth quarter, but could not overcome the seven-point deficit, losing 86-79.
The Rustlers were led by third year guard Adrian Richards with 25 points and five assists, while second year guard Rashon Russell added 20 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Saturday, the Rustlers traveled to Edmonton where they fell behind early and could never recover. The Rustlers had another low scoring first quarter, and they trailed 18-13 heading into the second quarter. In the second quarter, the Rustlers struggled on both ends of the floor, giving up 30 points while only scoring 17 of their own.
At the half, the Thunder led the Rustlers 48-30. The Rustlers showed improvement in the third quarter, but still trailed 69-48 heading into the fourth quarter. In the end, the Rustlers fell behind by too much, as the Thunder went on to defeat the Rustlers 93-67.
The Rustlers were once again led by Richards with 15 points, six rebounds and two assists. Third year guard Brandon Isaac added 14 points, three rebounds and three steals while Russell had 13 points and five rebounds for the Rustlers.
The Rustlers (2-4) are on the road next weekend, traveling to Fort McMurray to take on the Keyano Huskies (3-3).