Rustlers Men's Basketball | Weekend Recap - Oct 24 & 25, 2019

The Rustlers men's basketball team split their opening weekend against the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Ooks.

The Rustlers would fall to the Ooks 102-98 on Thursday night in Edmonton, despite their strong start. At the end of the first quarter, the Rustlers were up 20-15, thanks in part to 12 points and 6 rebounds from third-year forward Kwantez Simmons.

The Ooks would overpower the Rustles in the second quarter, outscoring them 32-21. Third-year guard Rashon Russell had 8 points and 4 assists in the quarter. At the half the score was 47-41 for the Ooks.

In the third quarter, the Ooks continued to pull away from the Rustlers, outscoring them 33-24. Russell had 7 points on the quarter, and fourth-year guard Adrian Richards had 6.

The Rustlers found their stride in the fourth quarter scoring 33 points to the Ooks 22, but it wasn't enough for them to pull ahead, and the Rustlers suffered their first loss of the season 102-98.

Russell had 16 points and 4 rebounds in the final quarter, earning him the player of the game honours.

Saturday's game in Lloydminster was a nail-biter, with the Rustlers winning 78-76 scoring the winning basket in the final seconds of the game. Every quarter was a close one, and the Rustlers were led by Rashon Russell with 21 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.

The first quarter would end at a score of 18 to 17 for the Rustlers. In the second quarter, the Ooks would pull ahead slightly with the score at the half being 41-33.

The Rustlers would get themselves back into the game in the third quarter by scoring 20 points to make the game 59-53. Russell had 8 points, and Terrell Murdaugh had 4.

The fourth quarter was an exciting one culminating in a Rustler comeback. The Rustlers came from behind, scoring 25 points to the Ooks 17, winning them the game by one basket. Simmons scored 9 points in the quarter for the Rustlers.

In the final minute of the game, the Rustlers were up by 1 point. A turnover resulted in the Ooks scoring a 3-pointer. With only a few seconds remaining and the Rustlers down 2, Ricardo Joseph scores a free throw to put the Rustlers down by 1.

Joseph would then seal the deal with an offensive rebound and score the two points the Rustlers needed to win the game. Joseph would earn player of the game honours.

The Rustlers will be back in action on Friday, November 1, in the Lakeland College Gym to take on The King's University Eagles at 8 pm, right after the women's game.