Rattlers win at Home over Trojans.
The SAIT Trojans headed East on the number 1 to head to Medicine Hat College to take on the Rattlers in the second half of a home and home. Hoping to earn their playoff berth, the Rattlers looked to take this late season context to cement their playoff spot. The game opened with both sides missing on their first two trips down the floor. The Rattlers Kate Rozdeba opened the scoring on a nice drive and layup. Able to hit again right away Kate helped the Rattlers open up a 4-0 lead while grabbing 3 defensive boards. The Rattlers added another basket on a great inbound play and were able to add to the lead. Medicine Hat's defense were able to force the Trojans to a few low percentage shots and controlled the glass early holding them to 0 for the first 4 minutes. As the midway point of the quarter ticked past, the score read 9-2 in the Rattlers favor. Both teams went cold with the defense playing a prominent role in the second half of the quarter. The Trojans started to chip away at the small leas with offence was a premium. With 2 minutes on the clock the Rattlers led 11-6, with neither team getting any easy baskets. At the end of the quarter the Trojans had come back but trailed the Rattlers by 2, 13-11.
The Rattlers were able to come out in the second quarter and start with a 3 point play. They pressured the inbound and caused a turnover earning 2 more. The Trojans were cold to start the frame missing on 4 straight attempts down the floor. Another turnover from a travel saw the Trojans turn it over again. The Rattlers took advantage opening up a 21-11 lead with 6:00 on the clock. The Rattlers got to the line to add 2 more before the Trojans had any answer. The Trojans called a timeout midway through the quarter but the Rattlers came out of the break and extended their lead further. Going up 27-13 with 2:30 on the clock. The Trojans were able to come back and chip away with 2 quick baskets, reducing the Rattler lead to 10, 27-17. The Trojans scored at the buzzer and were able to come back a little by the half. The score was 28-21 Rattlers at the Half.
The Third quarter started with both teams coming up with a steal to start the half. The Trojans hit on their next possession only to be answered by the Rattlers. The Rattlers were pressuring the Trojans inbound and forcing turnovers all over the court. The Rattlers failed to convert this into points as they were not able to convert on the offensive end. Still able to control the boards, the Rattlers were getting second chance points but were not able to capitalize. The teams finally traded quick baskets, not changing the score differential. The Rattlers increased their lead to double digits once again but neither team looked particularly good offensively. The Trojans took a timeout with 3 minutes left in the quarter down 11. SAIT hit a 3 coming off the break and came up with a good stop. Able to score again, SAIT was able to cut down the Rattler lead, 38-32. Medicine Hat came right back down the floor to earn a trip to the line increasing the lead to 8 once again. The Rattlers were able to hit again and led 44-33 with 3 seconds on the clock, but the Trojans narrowed it right before the break with a last second basket leaving the score 44-35 at the end of the third.
The 4th started with the Rattlers re-establishing their 11 point lead. they were able to get a stop on defense as well but turned the ball over on a travel. The Trojans were struggling again to produce on offence and could not break down the Rattlers full court press. When they did get to the Rattlers end, they delayed so much the Rattlers could get back and set up on defense. SAIT finally was able to string back to back baskets together and once again cut into the Rattler lead. Medicine Hat answered and held a 48-37 lead with 5:27 on the clock. The Rattlers called a timeout and looked to continue to hold their lead and continue to play tough defense. Medicine Hat once again extended their lead as the clock continued to tick down. With just under 3 on the clock the Rattlers led 54-37. The Trojans continued to push late but the Rattlers lead was too much, the Rattlers came out on top 58-43
The ACAC Players of the game were Morgan Rolfe for SAIT and Morgan Muir for MHC.