MBB Weekend Recap | January 11 & 12, 2019

The Lakeland Rustlers Men's Basketball team returned to the court for their opening weekend of 2019, taking on the Concordia Thunder.

Friday night, the Rustlers traveled to Edmonton, looking to start the New Year with a win.  The Rustlers struggled early on, only managing to score six points in the first quarter, as they found themselves trailing 25-6 after 10 minutes.  The Rustlers struggles continued in the second quarter, as they trailed 41-18 at the half.  In the third, the Rustlers fought back and outscored the Thunder 23-22 in the quarter, but were still behind 63-41 heading into the fourth.  The Rustlers had a strong fourth quarter as they tried to get back into the game, but despite outscoring the Thunder by seven in the quarter, the lead was too much to overcome, and the Thunder won 81-66.

Fourth-year forward Artavis Holiday led the Rustlers with 14 points and nine rebounds, while third-year guard Brandon Isaac added 14 points, three rebounds, and two assists.  Player of the Game for the Rustlers was 2nd-year guard Abraham Murray with nine points and three rebounds.

The Rustlers looked to bounce back Saturday night at home against the Thunder.  The first quarter was all Rustlers as they jumped out to a 26-12 lead after 10 minutes.  The Thunder made a push in the second quarter, outscoring the Rustlers by four, but Lakeland still held a ten-point lead, 42-32, at the half.  Saturday night, it was the Thunder who would go on to have a strong second half, outscoring the Rustlers by 10 in each of the third and fourth quarters.  The Rustlers struggles in the second half allowed the Thunder back into the game, as the Thunder handed the Rustlers their second loss in as many nights 82-72.

Second-year guard Rashon Russell led the Rustlers with 24 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals, earning him Player of the Game.  Isaac added 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals for the Rustlers, who also got 11 points, four rebounds and three assists from third-year guard Adrian Richards.

The Rustlers return to the court next weekend, as they host the Keyano Huskies (7-5).  Action gets underway at 8:00 pm Friday night and 3:00 pm Saturday.