WBB Weekend Recap | October 26 & 27, 2018
The Lakeland Rustlers Women's Basketball team faced the Augustana Vikings over the weekend. After going 1-1 last weekend in the season opener against the NAIT Ooks, the Rustlers were looking to get back in the win column and gain some ground early in the ACAC Women's Basketball season.
The Rustlers played in Lloydminster Friday night, in what would be the highest scoring output for the Rustlers on the season. The Vikings came out hot to start the game, knocking down several contested threes. Lakeland had their share of good scoring opportunities, but could not get their shots to fall. Despite being down double digits early, the Rustlers cut the Vikings lead to 24-17 at the end of the first quarter. The Rustlers began to pick up the defensive intensity in the second quarter, forcing the Vikings into tougher shots. On the offensive end, the Rustlers look to push the ball in transition and move the ball, getting everyone involved. At the half, the Rustlers trailed 41-33.
In the second half, the Rustlers went on several runs to cut into the Vikings lead, cutting it to a little as two. The Rustlers began to knock down their shots in the third quarter, The Rustlers cut the lead to two again in the fourth quarter but had expended too much energy trying to get back into the game, as the Vikings would go on a 13-7 run and take the game 80-72.
The Rustlers were led by second year guard Kaitlyn Tonita with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists, while second year forward Bilge Topaloglu added 12 points, three rebounds and two assists. Player of the Game for the Rustlers was 2nd-year guard Hailey Somers with 13 points, three rebounds and two assists.
Saturday night, the Rustlers were in Camrose to face the Vikings, in what would be a big game for the Rustlers early in the season. The Vikings came out strong once again, and the Rustlers found themselves trailing 22-10 at the end of the first quarter. The Rustlers came out in the second quarter looking to cut into the Vikings lead. At the half, the Vikings led 33-25. In the opening minutes of the second half, the Rustlers cut the Vikings lead to two. The Rustlers bench unit came in midway through the quarter and brought great energy, helping them hold the Vikings scoreless for nearly four minutes. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Rustlers trailed 45-36. In the fourth quarter, the Rustlers clawed their way back, from being down 11 with under three minutes left, to having a shot to win at the buzzer. Unfortunately, the Rustlers come back came up just short, with the Rustlers falling to the Vikings 58-55.
The Rustlers were led by third year guard Tori Dugan with 11 points and seven rebounds, earning her Player of the Game, while second year guard Somers added ten points and two rebounds.
The Rustlers (1-3) take on the Concordia Thunder (2-2) next weekend. The Rustlers are at home Friday night, before traveling to Edmonton on Saturday. Both games are at 6 pm.