MBB Weekend Recap | January 18 & 19, 2019

The Lakeland Rustlers men's basketball team looked to bounce back against the Keyano Huskies over the weekend, after dropping two games to the Concordia Thunder the weekend before.

Friday night was a battle from the opening tip, with the Rustlers managing to hold a two-point lead after ten minutes. In the second quarter, Lakeland would extend their lead to as many as 12, but allowed Keyano to chip away, cutting the Rustlers lead to just one at the half, 40-39. The Rustlers were able to attack the basket in the third quarter, helping them extend their lead to eight heading into the fourth. In the final ten minutes, the Huskies locked in defensively, not allowing the Rustlers to score a field goal in the final 4:30. However, the Huskies foul trouble allowed the Rustlers to score from the free throw line, helping Lakeland hold on for the 74-71 win.

The Rustlers were led by third-year guard Adrian Richards, with 17 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and two steals, earning him player of the game. The Rustlers also got 14 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists from second-year guard Rashon Russell and 11 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds from fourth-year forward Artavis Holiday.

In the rematch Saturday, the teams went back and forth in the first quarter, trading baskets and exhibiting physical play. The Huskies held a two-point lead heading into the second quarter, which ballooned to 15 at the half, as the Rustlers struggled on both ends of the floor. The Rustlers struggles continued in the third, as they were outscored 35-21 in the quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Rustlers were able to outscore the Huskies by one, but their struggles in the second and third quarter were too much to overcome, as Lakeland lost 94-66.

The Rustlers were once again led by Richards, who finished with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, while Russell added 15 points and 3 rebounds. Player of the game for the Rustlers was third-year guard Awak Awak who finished with 2 assists and 1 rebound.

The Rustlers are on the road next weekend, making the trek up to Grande Prairie to take on the Wolves (6-10). The Rustlers will return home on February 2, when they take on The Kings University Eagles.