Women's Basketball Weekend Recap | February 4, 2018
The Lakeland Rustlers Women's Basketball team split their weekend series against the NAIT Ooks, as each team would win on their home court. Friday night in Edmonton, the Ooks defeated the Rustlers 75-61. Saturday night in Lloydminster, the Rustlers took control and beat the Ooks 84-63.
The teams would start the game going back and forth, with the score being tied at eight, halfway through the first quarter. The Ooks would lead by as many as five during the remainder of the quarter, and the Rustlers found themselves down 17-14 heading into the second. The Rustlers struggled in the second quarter as the Ooks pulled away, leading by as many as 15 in the quarter.
The Rustlers would only score six points in the quarter and trailed 34-20 at the half. The two teams would play each other even in the second half, as each team scored 16 points in the third quarter and 24 points in the fourth quarter. Despite playing the Ooks even in the second half, the Rustlers could never overcome their first-half deficit, dropping the game 75-61.
The Rustlers were led by 5th-year forward Shania Magnusson with 12 points and five rebounds, while 1st-year guard Kaitlyn Tonita added 11 points, two rebounds, an assist and a steal.
The Rustlers responded Saturday night, as the defeated the Ooks convincingly 84-63. The Rustlers came out strong and aggressive, as they looked to get the ball inside. The Ooks did a good job moving the ball and getting good looks, but the Rustlers pushed the ball in transition, helping them to build a 24-11 lead after the first quarter. The Rustlers continued their strong post play in the second quarter. The Ooks showed that they would not be pushed over, as they hit tough shots.
At the half, the Rustlers led 42-30. The Rustlers would be the aggressor early on in the third quarter, but the Ooks forced the Rustlers into poor decisions. The Rustlers would get more aggressive as the quarter went on, lead 62-44 after three. In the fourth quarter, the Rustlers had good ball movement, finding easy, open shots. On the other end of the court, the Ooks put themselves in tough positions and could not cut into the lead the Rustlers had built. The Rustlers would go on to win 84-63.
The Rustlers were led by 1st-year guard Hailey Sommers with 13 points, four rebounds and three steals, while 5th-year forward Shania Magnusson also scored 13 points and added two rebounds and an assist. 3rd-Year forward Brianne Hergott and 2nd-year guard Meg Ferraz each had 11 points, while Hergott added ten rebounds.
The Rustlers return to the court on Friday, February 9th, as they travel to Camrose to face the University of Alberta – Augustana Vikings. The Rustlers return home Saturday, February 10th, to face the same Vikings team. The game is set to get underway at 6:00 pm.