WBB Weekend Recap | February 1 & 2, 2019
The Lakeland Rustlers women's basketball team swept The Kings University Eagles over the weekend, giving the Rustlers a four-game win streak heading down the final stretch of the regular season.
The Rustlers were in Edmonton Friday night for the first game for the weekend series. Both teams came out slow to start the first quarter, but eventually found their rhythm. At the end of the first quarter, Lakeland led Kings 13-6. In the second quarter, the Rustlers extended the lead and looked to take control of the game, but the Eagles would not go away easily.
The Eagles would go on to outscore the Rustlers in the second quarter, but it was Lakeland who would have the lead at the half, 28-22. The physicality continued to increase as the game went on, with both teams committing many fouls. A strong quarter on both sides of the ball helped the Rustlers to extend their lead to 46-31. In the fourth quarter, the Eagles made a push to try and cut into the Rustlers lead, but Lakeland would hold on for the 60-47 win.
The Rustlers distributed the ball well, with 6 players scoring at least 7 points each. Third-year guard Meg Ferraz led the way with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists, while third-year forward Ally Pilgrim added 9 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal.
Player of the game for the Rustlers was third-year guard Angela Baran, who finished with 9 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist.
Both teams started slow Saturday night in Lloydminster, but the Rustlers were able to take a 13-6 lead after ten minutes. In the second quarter, Lakeland went on a run, extending their lead to as many as 14 midway through the quarter. Kings, however, would go on a run before the half was done, cutting the Rustlers lead to 27-21 at the break.
The Rustlers picked up the intensity on both ends of the court in the third quarter, executing on offense and getting stops on defense. Lakeland would outscore Kings 20-12 in the quarter, taking a 47-33 lead into the fourth. In the fourth quarter, the Rustlers remained locked in and extended their lead, on the way to the 66-39 win.
Leading the way for the Rustlers was second-year forward Bilge Topaloglu with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block, earning her player of the game. The Rustlers got another strong game from Pilgrim, who added 12 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 steal.
The Rustlers are now 13-7 and sit atop the ACAC North Division with 3 weeks remaining in the regular season. Lakeland returns to the court Friday February 15th at 6:0 pm in Lloydminster, when they host the NAIT Ooks.