Women's Basketball wrap up season and head to Calgary
The Lakeland Rustlers Women's Basketball team dropped both of their games on the weekend to the Concordia Thunder. The Rustlers lost 59-42 Friday night in Lloydminster and 63-57 Saturday night in Edmonton.
Friday night, the teams would go back and forth in the first quarter, with the score being tied at 16 after one. Both teams struggled to score in the second quarter, with each team scoring less than 10 points in the quarter and going several minutes without a field goal. At the half, the Rustlers found themselves trailing the Thunder by one, 25-24.
In the third quarter, the Rustlers scoring struggles continued. While the Thunder also struggled to score, the Rustlers were still outscored by eight, giving the Thunder a 38-29 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Rustlers seemed to be a step behind the Thunder in the fourth quarter. The Thunder would extend their lead on the way to a 59-42 win.
The Rustlers were led by first year guard Kaitlyn Tonita with 10 points and three steals. The Rustlers also got eight points and eight rebounds from fourth year forward Anna Mbuyi.
Following the game, the Rustlers honoured fifth year forwards Kellsey Sinnett and Shania Magnusson. Sinnett, who had only played in two games this semester after suffering a torn ACL back in January, had four points and five rebounds. Magnusson had two points, seven rebounds, three blocks, an assist and a steal.
Saturday night in Edmonton, the Rustlers came out aggressive, doing a good job getting the ball inside for easy scores. At the end of the first quarter, the Rustlers led 15-12. The Rustlers extended their lead to eight in the opening minutes of the second quarter before the Thunder started to fight back. The Rustlers were able to respond to the Thunder's run before the Thunder tied the game at 25 with two minutes remaining in the half. The Thunder would outscore the Rustlers in the next two minutes and take a 31-29 lead at the half.
The Rustlers struggled to start the third quarter, starting the half with multiple turnovers, allowing the Thunder to double their lead. The Rustlers regained the lead thanks to aggressive play by 2nd-year guard Meg Ferraz. The Rustlers extended their lead to as many as seven, but the Thunder would not go away. The Thunder would cut into the Rustlers lead and take a one-point lead, 43-42, heading into the fourth quarter. The teams would battle back and forth in the fourth quarter, with the lead changing numerous times. The Thunder would take a 55-51 lead with three minutes remaining that the Rustlers could never recover from, as the Rustlers lost 63-57.
The Rustlers were led by Ferraz with 15 points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals, while Mbuyi added 11 points, seven rounds, five steals, three blocks and two assists.
Following the two losses on the weekend, the Rustlers drop to third place in the North Division with a 16-8 record. The Rustlers had previously clinched a playoff spot and will travel to Calgary to take part in the ACAC Women's Basketball Championships being hosted by SAIT.
ACAC Women's Basketball Championship Preview
The Lakeland Rustlers Women's Basketball team is in Calgary February 28-March 3 to take part in the ACAC Basketball Championships. The Rustlers, who went 16-8 in league play, sit in third place in the ACAC North Division. Their third place finish matches them up with the second place team in the South Division, the Olds College Broncos, in their opening game of the provincial championship Thursday afternoon. The Rustlers will then face either the St. Mary's Lightning or the Keyano Huskies, based on the results of the games.
The Rustlers need to finish in the top two at the ACAC Basketball Championships to advance to the CCAA Basketball Championships which are being held March 14-17 at Mount Allison in Sackville, NB.