UNBC over Basketball Kings in exhibition

The Red Deer College Kings Basketball team kicked off their exhibition schedule Thursday against the University of Northern British Columbia at the RDC Gym. The UNBC Timberwolves play in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) while the Kings play in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC). The Kings were ready against the university opponent, beginning the game with seven straight points. 

The Timberwolves started to find their game as the opening quarter continued, tying the game at 10 with about five minutes left in the 1st quarter. The game went back and forth with neither side taking a significant advantage. Tyrell Laing hit a long three-pointer with time winding down in the quarter to give his Timberwolves a 17-15 lead.

As the 2nd quarter began RDC kept the game close. Early in the season there were many long distance shots with about half of them successful. UNBC was up by six when Visual Arts student Kai Greene of the Kings drained a three-pointer from the top of the arch to keep the game close at 29-26. 

The Timberwolves continued to press, getting up by seven. Moments later Business Administration student Matt Matear banked his shot off the backboard to bring his Kings within five points. The score was 39-34 at the half for UNBC. The Kings Ian Tevis was the top scorer from either team with eleven. 

After the Timberwolves hit the first basket to open the 3rd quarter Tevis, a Kinesiology student, hit another long distance shot which narrowed the lead 41-37. Tevis, from Kent, Washington connected on four-of-five of his three-point attempts thus far. UNBC started to get on a roll, extending their lead 53-41 with six minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter. RDC gained some ground and the quarter ended with UNBC leading 68-61. 

UNBC extended their lead in the final quarter but RDC showed resolve by working hard and chipping away at the lead. With 5:20 remaining in the game the Kings clawed back within eight points, 83-75. The clock was the enemy and wound down for a 94-83 UNBC final. Ian Tevis played thirty minutes and led RDC with 32 points. Leading the Timberwolves was Marcus MacKay who scored 34 points. 

While the Kings fell short against a university opponent, they displayed strong work ethic and incredibly sank 47.8% of their three-point attempts which eclipsed the shooting efficiency of the Timberwolves beyond the arch.

The Kings next play in exhibition Oct. 6 against The King's University at Red Deer College as part of the Ramada Inn and Suites Fall Basketball Classic.