Women's Basketball Weekend Recap | November 6, 2017
The Lakeland Rustlers split their weekend series with the Concordia Thunder, with each team winning on the road. Friday night in Edmonton, the Rustlers were able to beat the Thunder 69-67 in the final minute, while on Saturday night in Lloydminster, the Thunder defeated the Rustlers 69-58.
The Rustlers defeated the Thunder Friday night 69-67 in what was a close game for the full 40 minutes. In the first quarter, the Rustlers struggled to maintain control of the ball, turning it over several times and committed many fouls. The Thunder were able to capitalize on these mistakes and opened up an 11-4 lead and led 21-15 at the end of the quarter.
The Rustlers continued to struggle with turnovers and fouls in the second quarter, finding themselves down as many as nine. In the last three minutes of the half, the Rustlers went on a 12-0 run, led by 5th-year forward Shania Magnusson, and took a 37-33 lead at the half.
In the third quarter, the Rustlers were able to extend their lead to seven midway through the quarter, but let the Thunder cut it to one at the end of the third, 51-50. The Rustlers were able to draw fouls in the fourth quarter and knocked down their free throws, helping them regain a seven-point lead. The Thunder fought back, going on an 8-2 run to cut the Rustlers lead to one with four minutes to play.
The Thunder took a one-point lead with two minutes remaining, but Rustlers third year guard Taiya Paylor knocked down a three with under a minute remaining to give the Rustlers the two-point win. The Rustlers were led by Paylor with 14 points and seven rebounds, earning her player of the game honors. The Rustlers also got 13 points and six assists from second year guard Angela Baran.
The Concordia Thunder defeated the Lakeland Rustlers Saturday night, 69-58, handing the Rustlers their first loss of the season.
The Rustlers came out strong to start the game, getting out to a 5-0 lead. The Thunder responded, cutting the Rustlers lead to 2, 8-6. The teams went back and forth for the remainder of the quarter, and the Thunder found themselves up 15-14 after one.
The second quarter started off low scoring, with both teams missing shots and turning the ball over. The Rustlers were able to outscore the Thunder in the quarter and take a 29-27 lead at the half. Both teams started off sloppy in the third quarter before the Thunder began to take control. The Rustlers struggled to score, while the Thunder were able to score almost at will.
The Rustlers made a push to cut into the Thunder's lead near the end of the quarter but still found themselves down 47-41 after three. The two teams traded baskets to start the fourth quarter before the Rustlers began to get stops. The Rustlers were able to cut the lead to 4, but could not get any closer, as the Thunder hung on to win the game 69-58.
Player of the Game for the Rustlers was #13, Kaitlyn Tonita, who had ten points, four rebounds, and two assists. The Rustlers also got 14 points, two rebounds and three assists from Paylor.
Rustlers Head Coach Chris King saw the Rustlers first loss in the regular season as a learning opportunity. "We are very young," King said, "this is our first regular season loss. We got a couple of wins where we played poorly but just good enough down the stretch to win. Today, even though we were in it the whole way, it felt like Concordia dictated the tempo and pace. So we need to realize who we are and how we play well together. It was frustrating that we missed so many easy layups and foul shots because if we make those, we probably have a shot to win."
Rustlers Tonita and second year guard Meg Ferraz echoed many of the comments made by their coach.
"We need to take away the fact that we are one of the most talented teams in our conference and that we need to come together for a full four quarters. We have to play the full game together," Ferraz said.
"We didn't play to our potential tonight, and that is why this happened," Tonita said. "Concordia wanted it more, and it showed on the court in all four quarters. I think it (the loss) will benefit us because we know how it feels now and it can give us motivation to never feel this way again."
The Rustlers have a bye next weekend before returning to the court November 17th and 18th as they host the Keyano Huskies.