Thunder Men’s Basketball Split with Rustlers
Posted on: Jan 25, 2016
Thunder Men's Basketball took on the Lakeland Rustlers in a key series this past weekend with both teams jockeying for a playoff spot. Game one at the RKAC would be a back and forth affair with both teams making big runs throughout the game but in the critical moments the Thunder came up big and held off the Rustlers 84-79. The Thunder were led by Jason Jones Jr. with 18 points, Ryan McLaren 15, Brett Jakubec 14, Artez Scharer and Nate Wojcicki 11 apiece and Adam Johnson registered his 5th double double of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds. “This was a very nice team win,” stated Coach Reagan Wood. “When you have 6 double digit scorers you will usually find yourself on top at the end of the night. We made stops and got key rebounds to hold off the Rustlers. They made some big additions at the break that have made them very dangerous so this was a big win for us.”
Game two out in Lloydminster was another back and forth game with the Rustlers jumping up early but the Thunder storming back with a big second quarter to take a 46-38 lead at half. A dead even 3rd period kept the Thunder up 8 heading into the final frame. The Rustlers found another gear and hit several deep threes and made some tough plays around the rim to push back in the final 5 minutes and take down the Thunder 90-79. The Thunder were led by Brett Jakubec with 20 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Jason Jones Jr. with 19 points, Artez Scharer with 18 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists with Ryan McLaren recording his first career double double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. “(It was) a tough loss for us,” said Coach Wood. “We had a lead late in the fourth and didn’t hang on. It’s been something that has plagued us all season. We’ve had the lead going into the fourth quarter in 15 of our 18 games but have 11 losses. We have to get better at finishing games.”
The Thunder sit at 7-11 and need some help along with tough wins over ranked opponents to stay in the playoff hunt. The Thunder are off this weekend and will take on NAIT to start the home stretch in February.
