Rustlers defeat Eagles in first home game of 2020

The Lakeland Rustlers hosted The King's University Eagles on Saturday January 25th in the second night of a back to back, and the first home game of the new year for the Rustlers.

The Rustlers carried their momentum from Friday nights win into the opening quarter on Saturday as they opened up an early lead. The Eagles could found themselves trailing the Rustlers 20-8 midway through the first quarter and could not cut into the deficit before the end of the first, trailing 29-14 after ten minutes. The second quarter was a defensive battle as both teams struggled to crack double digits offensively. King's was able to hold Lakeland to just 12 points, giving themselves a chance to cut into the lead, but were only able to score 11 points of their own. At the half, the Rustlers led 41-25. Both teams found their offense in the third quarter, as the Rustlers opened up an 18 point lead early in the second half. With just minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Eagles were able to cut the Rustlers lead to 10, but never able to get it to single digits, and found themselves behind 60-47 heading into the fourth. The defensive intensity and pressure picked up again in the fourth quarter. The Eagles gave themselves a chance to get back in the game by holding the Rustlers to 12 points, but the Rustlers defense helped them secure the win, holding the Eagles to 10 in the quarter. In the end, the Rustlers would come away with the 72-57 win.

Player of the game for the Eagles was #23, Zachary Marchak. Player of the game for the Rustlers was #7, Rashon Russell.