Lakeland upsets Medicine Hat

Mar. 1, 2018 - On a day filled with close games, the first official upset was authored by Lakeland College. Although the Rustlers (17-8) led for almost the entire game, Medicine Hat (16-6) made sure it went right down to the wire in the third quarterfinal of the Cora Breakfast and Lunch 2018 ACAC Men’s Basketball Championship in Lethbridge. At the final buzzer, Lakeland was able to hang on for an 86-81 win to earn a semifinal berth.

Lakeland showed no signs of travel rust after making the trip south from Lloydminster, using a game-opening 9-2 run to propel themselves to a 22-17 lead after one quarter. Early in the second, the Rattlers showed their bite. Seven straight points, capped by a Josh Magpantay (second year, General Studies, Winnipeg) three-pointer, gave Medicine Hat its first lead of the game. However, the momentum was short-lived as a 10-2 run late in the opening half put Lakeland ahead 52-44 after 20 minutes.

The Rustlers picked right up in the third quarter, as Adrian Richards (second year, Business Administration, Toronto) drilled three of his game-high 24 to push Lakeland’s lead to 11 points. Not to be outdone, ACAC south division all-conference first-team selection Aaron Cameron (fourth year, General Studies, Sacramento, Calif.) spurred on his Rattlers, hitting two three-pointers and adding a lay-up as part of a 12-0 run that got Medicine Hat back within one. But a Brandon Isaac (second year, University Transfer, Vernon, B.C.) three slowed the Rattlers momentum as Lakeland led 66-62 after three. In a back-and-forth fourth quarter, a John Sappleton (second year, General Studies, Toronto) lay-up gave Medicine Hat a lead with under a minute to play, but a Prentice Gardner (fourth year, University Transfer, Oakland, Calif.) three restored Lakeland’s lead for good.

Paul Smith-Profit had a double-double for Lakeland with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Cameron led Medicine Hat with 22 points.

The Rustlers move on to the ACAC semifinals where they will play the winner of Lethbridge and Concordia at 8 p.m. on Friday. The Rattlers move into the consolation bracket and will face the loser of the Kodiaks-Thunder game at 3 p.m. on Friday.

Players of the game:     Lakeland Rustlers - #12 Paul Smith-Profit (12pts, 11reb)
                                    Medicine Hat Rattlers - #4 Aaron Cameron (22pts, 4reb, 4ast)