WBB Weekend Recap | October 19 & 20, 2018
The Lakeland Rustlers Women's Basketball team opened their season over the weekend with two close games against the NAIT Ooks, with each team winning on their opponent's home court.
The Rustlers were in Edmonton Friday night for their first game of the regular season, and it was clear they had the first game jitters early on. The Rustlers struggled to hang onto the ball, turning it over and had a hard time getting good shots early in the first quarter. The Rustlers took control as the first quarter went on, and led 18-11 after one. The Rustlers scoring struggles from early in the game returned in the second quarter, with them only managing to put up nine points in the quarter. The Ooks outscored the Rustlers in the quarter, but the Rustlers held onto a 27-26 lead heading into the second half.
The Rustlers came out slow to start the second half, allowing the Ooks to build an eight-point lead. The Rustlers fought back with a 13-2 run to end the quarter and head into the fourth with a 43-40 lead. A back and forth final quarter saw both teams have opportunities to take control of the game and come out with the win. In the end, the Rustlers would be victorious, defeating the Ooks 58-57.
The Rustlers were lead by 1st-year forward Jeanelle Charchuk, with ten points. Second year guard Kaitlyn Tonita had nine points and four rebounds, while second year forward Bilge Topaloglu had nine point and six rebounds, earning her Player of the Game.
The rematch Saturday night in Lloydminster would prove to be exciting as the night before, this time with the Ooks coming away with the one-point win. The teams went back and forth in the first half, tying the score at 14 after the first quarter and at 23 after the second.
In the third quarter, the Rustlers began to pull away, opening up a nine-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Rustlers, however, couldn't maintain their lead as the Ooks fought back with 22 points in the quarter compared to the Rustlers ten to take the game 56-55.
Tonita led the Rustlers with 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while third year point guard Tori Dugan added seven rebounds and six assists in her second game back from an ACL injury.
Topaloglu was once again named Player of the Game for the Rustlers, finishing with 12 points, three steals, two rebounds, and a block.
The Rustlers (1-1) take on the Augustana Vikings (3-1) next weekend. The Rustlers will be at home Friday night before heading to Camrose Saturday night. Tip-off Friday night in Lloydminster is at 6 PM.