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The Thunder took on the #14 ranked NAIT this past weekend in a home and home set. Friday night the Thunder would jump out to one of their best starts of the season grabbing a 12 point lead that they would not relinquish finishing off the Ooks 80-69.  Leading the way for the Thunder was David Shantz with 21 points and 12 rebounds.  Dallas Wright added 18 with Jamaal Bucknor totaling 17 to go along with 9 rebounds.  Rob Haack chipped in 10 to round out the double digit scorers. “We played a solid team game tonight,” remarked Coach Wood.  “We executed well and took care of the ball.  Any time we share the touches and move well without the ball we put ourselves in a good position to win.  Our help defense was solid tonight as well.”
Saturday visiting the NAIT gym the Thunder would go shot for shot with the Ooks in the first quarter but would struggle to find the bottom of the net for the next 20 minutes and fell by a score of 86-63. David Shantz led the Thunder again with 16 points and 12 boards.  Jamaal Bucknor – who had to exit with contest with a groin strain early in the 3rd quarter – Dallas Wright and Ben Grimsrud each added 10.  Liban Abdi-Aziz helped off the bench with 12. “Tonight was not our night,” said Coach Wood.  “A lot of credit to NAIT as well tonight; they responded well to the challenge we presented them yesterday and we couldn’t match their scoring punch tonight.”
The Thunder now take on another tough test against the GMU Griffins in what will be their last weekend series in the ACAC as the Griffins move on the CIS next season.  Friday night’s game will be at GMU with the rematch Saturday at the RKAC.  Both games are an 8pm start.

Photo Courtesy of John McIntosh