Men’s Basketball Battles back for ACAC Bronze

The men's basketball team has had a great run in the second semester and was playing some great basketball going into the playoffs.  The extra effort and consistent play earned the team a trip to the final four March 11 and 12 hosted by SAIT in Calgary.

The road was not an easy one as their semi-final opponent was the past champion and host SAIT Trojans.  The Rustlers kept pace with the Trojans in the first quarter only trailing by three.  In the second quarter, the home team went on a run and added to their lead, and went into the dressing room at the half with a 15 point lead, 42 – 27.  The third quarter was a high-scoring affair with the Rustlers draining 33 points and the Trojans answering back with 26 of their own.  The fourth quarter was one for the fans as the Rustlers battled back and came within two points of tieing the game before SAIT dropped a couple of late three-pointers to take the game by a score of 92 – 83 and punch their ticket to the gold medal game. 

Captain Artavis Holiday led the Rustlers with 24 points and 9 rebounds. 

Saturday the Rustlers battled Red Deer Polytechnic for the bronze medal.  The Rustlers got out to an early lead on the Kings outscoring their opponents in the first quarter 26 – 17.  The teams traded points in the second quarter and the Rustlers went into the half with a 10 point lead.  The third quarter was almost a carbon copy of the second with both teams going back and forth and even in points.  In the fourth quarter, the Kings applied a fair bit of pressure but the Rustler's lead was substantial enough for them to hang on for the victory and a bronze medal downing the Kings by a final score of 82 - 79. 

Shaq Manswell led the Rustlers with 23 points.