Basketball Kings over Broncos 98-90

The Red Deer College Kings Basketball team entered tonight's contest against the Olds College Broncos with a 1-0 record and were looking for a consistent effort to remain unbeaten in the young season. It was a close first half and then the Kings pulled away in the third quarter for a 98-90 victory.

The Broncos came out quickly in the opening quarter and at one point led 19-8. The Kings battled back to narrow the gap but Olds College led after the first quarter 24-20.

Not much separated the two teams in the second quarter. The game went back and forth and the two sides were even at 26 and once again 36. The Broncos pulled ahead slightly and led 43-40 at the half.

The third quarter was once again close in the early stages. Both sides were even at 57 and then the Kings went on a 7-0 run to capture a 64-57 lead. After three quarters the Kings led 71-64.

RDC went on an 8-1 run to begin the final quarter, pushing the score to 79-65 in their favour. The Kings maintained a lead throughout the fourth quarter and capped off a 98-90 win.

Kings Head Coach Clayton Pottinger liked the ability of the RDC Kings to battle back when trailing early.

"We went down to begin the game, which dug ourselves a hole. I give the guys credit for grinding our way back into the game," said Pottinger. "Once we took the lead we didn't relinquish it. In terms of experience and learning how to win gritty games, that was a good example."

Pottinger saw periods of solid defence.

"We play great defence and then we have spurts where they get easy baskets," said Pottinger. "There are things that we should be doing differently out there, but we will continue to work on it. Through the second and third quarters we played good defence."

The Kings player-of-the-game was Matt Matear. The Business Administration student finished with 15 points and was solid on the boards at both ends.

From the field the RDC Kings were successful on 36-of-76 attempts for 47.4% and hit 10-of-17 three point attempts for a 58.8% success rate. Olds College shot 34.5% from the field and 36.8% beyond the three point arch.

The Red Deer College Kings host the St. Mary's University Lightning Saturday, Nov. 5 at 8:00 p.m.