Huskies down Rattlers
The Keyano Huskies made the long trip down to Medicine Hat to take on the Rattlers in the Snake Pit. Coming off a loss both sides hoped to get something going early. The Rattlers scored the first 5 points of the game with a layup and a deep 3. The Rattlers got it back off a Huskies miss and got to the line for two. Keyano finally got on the board with a corner 3, but the home side was quick to respond. Scoring 2 and getting to the line, the Rattlers matched the 3 from the Huskies. Keyano earned their first trip to the line on the next possession and hit both to trail by 5. Another basket and converted 3 point play saw the score 10-8 and the Rattlers taking a timeout. The Huskies were able to strike first out of the break and tied the game at 10. Keyano took their first lead of the game with a 3. The Rattlers broke their 2 minute scoreless streak to respond with 2 of their own. A defensive stop and another basket saw the home side retake a one point lead. The Huskies scored at the last second to take a 17-16 lead into the break.
The Rattlers struck first in the second quarter retaking the lead before both sides missed multiple chances.Keyano earned a trip to the line but missed both leaving the Rattlers ahead. Both teams went cold early, missing chances at both ends. The first 3 and a half minutes went by with only one score. The Huskies came out of the break and struck with 2 inside and earned a trip to the line following a stop. The Rattlers came back down and were able to tie it up at 20 with 4:30 on the clock. The Huskies got into the bonus and turned a missed second free throw into a 3 point play. The Huskies added one more at the line and led 24-20. Medicine Hat missed 3 inside chances and allowed Keyano to add another bucket. Keyano hit a deep 3 and opened up a 9 point lead, the largest of the game. The Rattlers responded with a layup as time was running off the clock. Keyano hit another 3 with 30 seconds on the clock and took a 10 point lead 32-22.
The Second half opened with a stop from both sides on the first possession. Keyano struck first with a trip to the line hitting both and extending their lead. Medicine Hat followed this up with a quick basket but again let the Huskies get inside on defence. Now 36-24, the Rattlers hit a pullup jumper after having missed the shot all day. The Rattlers would chip away and the Huskies would come back and hit a dagger of a 3 to stop the momentum. The teams traded possessions both coming up with stops and misses. The score slowly climbed and with 3 minutes left it read 42-29 for the Huskies. Keyano started on a 6-2 run and further extended the lead. The score read 48-31 at the break with Keyano in control.
The Fourth started with both sides quickly trading a basket. From here the teams traded misses as the first minute ticked off. The pace of the game started to pick up again as the Rattlers pushed the ball and looked to shoot early. Every time the Rattlers would score, the Huskies were quick to answer. Holding a 19 point lead, the Huskies continued to press the Rattlers looking to trap them in the backcourt. The Rattlers could not break through and committed 5 turnovers in a row. The Huskies used this to extend their lead to 66-41. The Huskies added another basket in the final minute. The game ended 68-41 with the Huskies on top.