Rattlers Bite Trojans at the Snake Pit.
The SAIT Trojans made their way down a snow covered highway to ace off with the Medicine Hat College Rattlers in the Snake Pit. The game opened up with the teams trading baskets early after each missing on their first trip down the floor. The Rattlers opened up a fast lead after some high pressure defense trapped the Trojans deep in their end. Hitting a corner three and following it up with another basket, the Trojans cut the lead in half. SAIT closed the lead to 2 hitting another 3, forcing the Rattlers to adjust. Making an adjustment on defense they again opened up the lead to 6 points. SAIT answered with another 3 able to again narrow the margin. With only a 2 point lead, the Rattlers took a timeout. This did not help immediately as the trojans were able to stay with the 1st place Rattlers. With 1 minute on the clock, the Home team led 21-19, a very narrow margin. Neither team were able to convert in the last minute and the quarter ended 21-19.
The second quarter started with Rattler Morgan Muir failing to convert on her and one chance and extending the lead to 4. The Trojans answered quickly with an inside basket from Post Melanie Thera. The Rattlers continued to struggle to find the basket as they were not shooting their usual high percentages. SAIT was not able to take advantage of these struggles and failed to put up any points in the Rattlers cold stretch. Picking up the pace, the Rattlers were able to generate more offence and finally finding the basket. They extended their lead to 8 and forced the Trojans to take a timeout with 5:49 on the clock, the lead 30-22. Coming out of the break the Rattlers scored the first basket and were able to extend the lead again to double digits. The Rattlers at this point again went cold. The Trojans were able to chip away quickly once again reducing the lead to 4. The Rattlers turned to veteran Kendell Kuntz who was able to come up with the 3 point play again extending the lead. As time ticked down in the half both teams pushed hard, SAIT trying to close the gap and Medicine Hat trying to extend it. The half ended with the Rattlers leading 35-30.
The third quarter started with both teams trading baskets on their first possessions. Both teams seemed to be hitting a higher percentage of shots, but neither was able to establish firm momentum. The Rattlers once again extended their lead to 8 as the midway point of the quarter approached. They finally regained the 10 point cushion with 5:02 on the clock. The first place Rattlers were finally showing why they were a first place team in the south. With another minute gone, the Rattlers led 48-34 forcing SAIT to take a timeout. Coming out of the break the Rattlers forced a quick turnover and turned in into a quick 3 points. They again took control and opened up a 20 point lead, 54-34. As the clock entered the late stages. The Trojans finally broke through on the scoreboard again. Late and started to try and chip away at the substantial lead. However the Rattlers were too strong and the quarter finished 59-38.
The fourth quarter started with the Rattlers Muir earning a trip to the line early she scored 1 and extended the lead to 22. After trading baskets, the Rattlers got back to their press defense and continued to frustrate the Trojans inbound and backcourt play. This continued as time entered the middle portion of the quarter. The second half was more indicative of the league standings than the first. Medicine Hat was able to control the game with high scoring and high pressure defense. The Rattlers brought in their deep bench and continued to score at will. With the Starters on the bench, the home squad showed no lack of talent or hesitation on the court. With the bench on the court, the teams were much more evenly matched. The score climbed as the quarter wore on, with the score 75-49 with 3 minutes remaining. As the clock ticked down the teams again went cold for 2 minutes with no points scored. Teams traded baskets in the last minute with no consequence as the game ended 77-51 for the Rattlers.