SAIT strikes a blow to Rattlers Playoff hopes
The First Place SAIT Trojans Made the Trip down the Snowy number 1 to visit the Second Place Medicine Hat College Rattlers. The Rattlers Needed to split the weekend in order to guarantee a Playoff spot. The Game opened up fast and furious as both teams hit early. the teams traded baskets as the pace of the game was already a lightning pace. The game was already experiencing controversial calls in the first 3 minutes as both benches were furious with calls. The teams remained close as neither could gain a big advantage. The Rattlers opened up a 5 point lead 14-9 with 4 minutes left on the clock. The Trojans chipped into the lead and took the lead scoring 7 straight, leading 16-14. With 2:00 on the clock, the teams were tied at 18 with the Rattlers in control of the ball. A Technical was called on SAIT's Ian Tevis and the Rattlers turned this into a 4 point lead again. The Trojans scored late but the Rattlers lead 24-22 at the end of the first.
SAIT opened the second with a deep 3 to take a 1 point lead early. SAIT again got to the line for 3 shots making all of them and leading by 4. The Trojans extended their lead to 6 off a couple of Rattler misses. The Rattlers hung around and stayed with the Trojans cutting the lead to 2. The Trojans continued to hit deep 3's while the Rattlers were only scoring inside. The Trojans extended the lead to 6 off a steal and forced the Home side to take a timeout. The Rattlers came out of the break and hit a 3 pointer to cut the lead in half. The Rattlers cut the lead to 1 as Arthur Rosa made a slashing drive to the basket. The Trojans continued to hold of the Rattlers, scoring quickly whenever they neared tying the game. As the time wound down in the half the Trojans continued to hold their lead. they led at the half 55-48.
The third quarter opened with a block from the Rattlers Deangelo Ashley. The Trojans however scored the first points of the frame on another 3 point shot. SAIT hit another 3 and their lead was up to 11. They led 61-50 and the Home side needed something fast to get back in the game. The Rattlers scored 2 baskets to cut the lead before SAIT responded again. The Teams settled into the game as the quarter entered the middle stages. The play became more back and forth and the Rattlers started to gain some momentum. 2 huge defensive plays from Nick Murschell had the gym erupting with noise. The Trojans still held a 6 point lead, but the Rattlers had started to chip away. The Trojans hit a 3 after making a foul shot and re-took their 10 point advantage. The Rattlers again started to chip away. Ian Tevis of the Trojans received a second technical for taunting and was thrown out of the game. He earned his bench another technical, kicking a door on his way out of the gym. The quarter ended SAIT up 78-72.
SAIT opened the 4th hitting a 3 pointer to start off the scoring again. They regained their double digits lead quick extending the lead to 11. The Rattlers struggled to find the basket early as the Trojans were able to convert on their chances. The Rattlers again found a groove and started to chip away again. With this momentum building, the Trojans called timeout in an effort to slow the momentum down. SAIT was effective in this and again was able to force the Rattlers to play their game. With this SAIT continued to dictate the score and was able to hold off the Rattlers. The Rattlers battled and scrapped and reduced the lead to 3 with 3:29 on the clock. John Smith of SAIT hit another 3 to make the lead 6. The Rattlers got back to the line and again cut the lead in half on the next trip down the floor. The Trojans continued to knock down 3's and hold off the Rattlers charge. With 1:24 on the clock the Trojans led 103-95 forcing the Rattlers to take a timeout. The Lead was too much to overcome as the Trojans took the final 106-99.