Kodiaks claw Rattlers to keep season alive

March 2, 2018 - Playing on their home floor with pride on the line, the Lethbridge College Kodiaks refused to let their season come to an end. The Kodiaks (14-9) edged southern Alberta rival Medicine Hat (16-7) 108-89 in consolation play at the Cora Breakfast and Lunch 2018 ACAC Men’s Basketball Championships in Lethbridge.

The Kodiaks dynamic scoring duo of Keanu Funa (second year, Business Administration, Lethbridge) and Colten Murray (fifth year, General Studies, Picture Butte) each started hot as the hosts charged out to a 10-point lead mid-way through the opening quarter, eventually taking a 25-16 lead after one. But the Rattlers replied in the second, quickly closing the gap, before taking the lead as an Aaron Cameron (fourth year, General Studies, Sacramento, Calif.) three-pointer kicked off an 8-0 run. The Kodiaks were able to re-gain the lead but it was just a one-point game, 47-46 Lethbridge, at the half.

After the break, the Kodiaks came out firing from beyond the arc, as a pair of threes by Grady Taylor (fourth year, General Studies, Magrath) and one each from Funa and Murray pushed the Kodiaks on a 12-2 run and gave them a lead they would never relinquish. The Kodiaks had an 80-65 advantage after three and never led by less than eight the rest of the way, as they qualified for tomorrow’s fifth-place game and ended the Rattlers season.

The Kodiaks shot 52 per cent from the floor and over 56 per cent on threes. Taylor (23 points), Murray (22) and Funa (21) each topped 20 points for the Kodiaks, with Murray adding 12 assists. DeAngelo Ashley (fourth year, General Studies, Victorville, Calif.) led the Rattlers with 18 points.

The Kodiaks will play Keyano in the fifth-place game at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday in Lethbridge’s Val Matteotti Gymnasium.

Players of the game:
Medicine Hat - #4 Aaron Cameron (17pts, 2 3pts)
Lethbridge - #12 Colten Murray (22pts, 12reb, 2 3pts)