Trojans jump out early, blow past Broncos

The SAIT Trojans were ready to go from the opening tip, defeating the Olds College Broncos 100-67 at the Ralph Klein Centre on Friday, the first of Olds College's Make Some Noise for Mental Health game nights.

SAIT Player of the Game Marc-Denault Gabriel led all scorers with 24 points on 11-19 shooting while also adding 13 rebounds for the Trojans (6-6), while Charlie Conner added 21 points, four rebounds and three assists, and ACAC leading scorer Marcus Masters added 19 points and four rebounds off the bench.

For the Broncos (1-12), Player of the Game Austin Nzige-Nyambok posted a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds to go with five assists, while Artemus Rapada chipped in with 17 points, five rebounds and three assists.

The ultimate difference in the game came in the first quarter, where SAIT stamped its authority in holding the Broncos to one field goal on 20 shots, taking a 20-2 lead into the second quarter.

Despite the deficit, the Broncos found their stride in the second, with Rapada's 12 points keeping Olds College within shouting distance, though SAIT led 48-27 at halftime.

The third quarter also proved to be competitive on both sides, with Nzige-Nyambok's 11 points in the frame again keeping the Broncos around with SAIT leading 73-53 through 30 minutes.

However, the Trojans' depth would prove effective in the fourth, starting the final frame on a 15-2 run to definitively put the game out of reach.

The Broncos and Trojans will complete their home-and-home weekend at the University of Calgary on Saturday at 3 p.m.