Kodiaks shock host Rustlers in Semifinal

Day 2 wrapped with the loudest game of the night, between the host Lakeland College Rustlers and the Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks in the last semi-final match of the tournament. The Rustlers had won the previous meeting between the two teams in November.

Early on, the teams traded buckets before the Kodiaks created multiple turnovers, pulling away from the Rustlers and finishing the first quarter 22-14. Timeout was called 1 minute into the second quarter by Lakeland with the visitors leading 28-17. Key shots made from second year Levi Balderson kept the game in control for Lethbridge. Finishing the second quarter, North Division Taleh Wade got fouled on the buzzer-beater three and hit the free throw for a fourth-point play, ending the half at a score of 44-32 Kodiaks.

A boisterous home crowd kept the energy up in the third quarter. Around the five-minute mark, the home side started to close the gap, leaving the score 45-50. However, Lethbridge answered with timely shooting to enter the fourth quarter up 11. 

The Kodiaks quickly began to pull away from the Rustlers, leading 67-52 at a Lakeland timeout. Capitalizing on aggressive drives, Lethbridge continued to keep the home team at bay, leading to frustration on the Rustlers side. Kodiaks took the final score 86-67.

Balderson led all players with 28 points, while the Rustlers Player of the Game was Jordan Horobetz-Simpson with 24 points. 

Tomorrow, March 7th, the Lakeland Gymnasium will host the final day of the ACAC Men's Basketball Championship. Concordia vs NAIT at 1:00pm for 5th place. In the bronze medal tilt, the two top ranked teams Lakeland and SAIT at 3:00pm. Then, the gold medal game at 6:00pm between Lethbridge and Keyano. Catch all the action live or watch on ACAC TV.