Weekend Recap: Kodiaks begin second semester with a weekend split

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks basketball teams kicked off the new year in front of a home crowd as they hosted the St. Mary’s University Lightning. The Kodiaks women’s team lost in a tight game and the men’s team pulled out a win.

Jan. 10 WBB | Kodiaks 50 vs STMU Lightning 58

The Kodiaks struck first in a defensive, turnover-heavy opening, getting two free throws from Summer Long (first year, General Arts and Science, Raymond) and two early blocks to keep St. Mary’s off the board for nearly three minutes. St. Mary’s eventually answered, and the quarter stayed scrappy with steals and empty trips on both sides. The Kodiaks stayed within striking distance thanks to extra effort around the rim from Paighton Kumson (third year, Correctional Studies, Edmonton) and Zoe Michelson (first year, General Arts and Science, Stirling) who both extended possessions with offensive rebounds. By the end of the first quarter, the Lightning held a one-point lead 9–8. In the second quarter, Gaby Power (fourth year, Early Childhood Education, Calgary) attacked the rim for a layup and added pressure defensively, while Yar Biar (first year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) converted inside on a Chase Wells-Creighton (second year, Exercise Science, Standoff) assist. Turnovers and limited shooting success allowed the deficit to grow, sending Lethbridge into halftime trailing 33–16.

Coming out of the break, the Kodiaks looked to claw back behind transition pressure and timely shooting. Long sparked the third quarter with a strong finish off a steal and later buried a three-pointer, while Wells-Creighton added points inside and at the line. Power, Michelson and Biar continued to battle on the boards, generating extra possessions as Lethbridge chipped away and ended the third quarter down 46-32. In the fourth quarter, the Kodiaks mounted their best push: Michelson knocked down a key three, Gianna Gammie (second year, General Arts and Science, Nanton) followed with another from deep and Wells-Creighton consistently finished at the rim to keep the pressure on late. Despite the surge and continued defensive effort, the early gap proved too much to overcome and the Kodiaks fell 58-50 to the Lightning.

ACAC Player of the Game:

LPK: #22 Chase Wells-Creighton

STMU: #8 Ivet Hidalgo

Jan. 10 MBB | Kodiaks 99 vs STMU Lightning 76

The Kodiaks were sharp early, with Randall Mongard (first year, Open Studies, Laval, Que.) opening the scoring at the line and the Kodiaks getting solid early work on the glass from Rhett Lewis (third year, General Arts and Science, Cardston) and Nathaniel Hosannah (second year, Business Administration, Tacoma, Wash.). Jackson Wright (third year, Business Administration, Claresholm) finished two early layups to keep pace, and the offence found a rhythm when Mongard drilled a three and Levi Balderson (second year, General Arts and Science, Welling) added a jumper of his own. The Kodiaks also stayed active on second chances as Hosannah and Lewis both grabbed offensive boards and Hosannah converted a late tip-in before Lewis knocked down a big three to tie it at 18 late in the first. The Lightning knocked in one more before the end of the quarter, making it 20-18. In the second quarter, Lethbridge leaned into defense-to-offense plays and timely finishes as Marley Kenion (first year, Child and Youth Care, Coventry, England) jumped a passing lane and scored in transition, Lewis calmly hit two free throws to tie it again and West James (second year, Plumber Apprenticeship, Raymond) and Kenion provided key points at the stripe and on tip-ins. With Hosannah knocking down a jumper, Balderson finishing a layup and Lewis cashing in off an offensive rebound, the Kodiaks carried a 40–37 lead into halftime.

After the break, Lethbridge blew the game open behind a barrage of threes and efficient inside work. Balderson buried an early three, Lewis then answered with a three of his own off a Mongard setup as the Kodiaks’ lead quickly grew. Wright added a midrange make and later knocked down free throws, while Hosannah scored in multiple ways: hitting a jumper, finishing inside and drilling a three. The long-range attack kept rolling as Balderson hit another three, Kenion splashed a corner three off a Balderson assist and West capped the quarter with a three to push the advantage to 71–57 heading into the fourth. In the final period, the Kodiaks kept their foot on the gas as Kenion scored twice early, West hit a three and added a pair of layups and Wright finished in transition off a Balderson dime. Mongard added a strong finish inside, and Hosannah closed the door with three more triples – two assisted by Balderson and another set up by Wright as Lethbridge cruised to a 99–76 win.

ACAC Player of the Game:

LPK: #6 West James

STMU: #10 Ayudo Ayudo