Lakeland Rustlers Halfway Report: Men's Basketball
First Half Record:
7-3 | 2nd in the ACAC North Division
Key Performers:
Chance Samuel | 16.1 PTS/G, 46.4 FG%, 4.8 REB/G | Team's points and minutes leader
Bahaeddin Salma | 14.7 PTS/G, 50 FG%, 5.6 REB/G, 5.1 A/G |
Senior Graduates:
Allayasa Bray | Forward | A 5th year athlete playing in his second season with the Rustlers, Asa is a mainstay on both ends of the floor, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
Riley Rathwell | Guard | Homegrown in the Border City and the Battlefords, the 5th year sharpshooter is averaging 8.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3 assists.
Highlights:
Nov. 22-23, the Rustlers swept SAIT and Lethbridge, two capable South Division teams, winning each game by more than 15 points.
An 86-70 road victory over the Medicine Hat Rattlers.
Recap:
It was a solid first half for the men, losing just three games and maintaining second in the division. Outside of a tight loss to the RDP Kings and additional defeats to the nationally ranked St. Mary's Lightning and Briercrest Clippers, the Rustlers were dominant in every contest. The Rustlers had four players (Samuel, Bray, Salma and Matthew Bryant) average over 10 points per game and were second in the ACAC in net efficiency.
Looking Ahead:
Raphael Sandy, a guard from Orlando, Florida, joins the team this semester, hoping to add shooting and playmaking to the roster.
The Rustlers face Western Canada Prep Academy Jan. 10 at 6:00 PM in the Lloydminster Campus Gym, followed the following afternoon at 3:00 PM to kick off the 2nd semester. Then, the a series of key North Division matchups. Jan. 17-18 they face the Concordia Thunder, with the Saturday game serving as the home debut for the semester, then Jan. 24-25 they will be in Fort McMurray to face the top ranked Keyano Huskies.