MBB Weekend Recap | November 9 & 10, 2018
It was a tough weekend for the Lakeland Rustlers Men's Basketball team, as they lost two games on the road to the Keyano Huskies.
The Rustlers fell behind early Friday night and could never recover against the Huskies, who came out looking to dominate the game. The Rustlers struggled to hit shots in the first quarter and found themselves trailing 25-14 after ten minutes. In the second quarter, the Rustlers shooting improved, but turnovers, fouls and getting out rebounded allowed the Huskies to extend their lead to 46-29 at the half. The Rustlers played the Huskies nearly even in the second half, even outscoring them by three in the third quarter, but the Huskies lead was too much for the Rustlers to overcome, as they defeated the Rustlers 85-69.
The Rustlers were led by fourth year forward Artavis Holiday with 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, and one steal, earning him Player of the Game. Third year guard Brandon Isaac added 16 points, six rebounds, and an assist, while second year guard Rashon Russell had 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
The Rustlers struggles continued into Saturday, as it took the Rustlers nearly five minutes before they would score. The Rustlers found themselves down 12-2 before 1st-year guard Abdusalam Figaro would score ten straight points for the Rustlers to cut into the Huskies lead. After the first quarter, the Rustlers trailed the Huskies 22-17. The Huskies went on a run in the second quarter, opening up a 33-19 lead, but the Rustlers fought back to cut the Huskies lead to 45-35 at the half. The Rustlers put up 27 points in the third quarter, but gave up 37, and found themselves down 20 heading into the fourth quarter. The Rustlers played the Huskies nearly even in the fourth quarter but had fallen too far behind, losing 103-81.
Player of the Game for the Rustlers was third year guard Adrian Richard, with 27 points, three rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Figaro had 19 points and five rebounds for the Rustlers, while Holiday recorded eight points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks.
The Rustlers now sit at 2-6 with four games remaining in the first semester.
The Rustlers will take on the King Eagles (1-7) Friday, November 16th in Lloydminster at 8 PM, and travel to Edmonton on Saturday, November 17th for the rematch.
The Rustlers will then have a bye week before their final games of the semester against the Grande Prairie Wolves (3-3). The Rustlers will host the Wolves on Friday, November 30th at 8 pm and Saturday, December 1st at 3 pm.