Medicine Hat defeats Kings 87-77

Saturday afternoon at the RDC Main Gym it was a battle between two unbeaten teams. The Medicine Hat College Rattlers came into the game with a 4-0 record while the Kings sat at 6-0. Entering the game with energy, the Rattlers took the lead early and defeated the Kings 87-77.

The Rattlers opened the first quarter on an 11-0 run. Momentum continued to be on their side and the quarter ended 22-4. 

In the second quarter, Medicine Hat College extended their lead to 25 points (40-15) but the Kings went on an 11-0 run to push the score to 40-26. During that stretch, Ian Tevis and Shayne Stumpf both connected from behind the three point arch. Time wound down in the second quarter with the Rattlers leading 47-31. Shayne Stumpf led the Kings with a total of 14 points, 1 block, 3 rebounds and shot 9-for-9 from the free throw line.

In the third quarter the Kings chipped away and reduced the lead by 11 points (50-39). On the Kings thirty-ninth point Matt Matear intercepted a pass, was in alone and slammed it down. The crowd erupted. After 3 quarters of play, the Rattlers led 61-52. Leading the Kings was Shayne Stumpf with 20 points. He also added 1 block, 1 assist, 5 rebounds and was 11-for-11 from the free throw line.

In the final quarter, the Kings clawed their way to within 8 points (66-58). Eventually, the Rattlers hit several shots from long distance and extended their lead to 20 points (80-60). RDC tried to rally but the clock was their enemy and the Medicine Hat College Rattlers won 87-77.

Shayne Stumpf was chosen as the Kings player-of-the-game. The Management Certificate student from Lacombe finished with 24 points, 1 block, 1 steal, 1 assist and 5 rebounds.

In the second half the RDC Kings outscored the Rattlers 46-40. The Kings scored 73 points in the last 3 quarters compared to 65 from the Rattlers. Kings Head Coach Clayton Pottinger didn't like the start but appreciated the effort from the second quarter on.

"We have to come out more ready to play from the beginning. We were down 22-4 in the first quarter and then we basically win the remainder of the game. We showed great size during the second and third quarters in particular," said Pottinger. "We had the game within 8 points and they hit 4 three pointers in a row. All of a sudden an 8 point game is a 20 point game and that took the wind out of our sails."

Every game is a learning experience.

"The lesson that we can take from today is to play every possession and hustle back. In a situation like that we need to learn from some of the things that we do that we get away with in other situations," said Pottinger. "Against a top team in the league we are not getting away with that stuff."

Pottinger noted a few areas for his club to concentrate on. 

"We want to work on consistency especially on the defensive end from top to bottom and when we turn the ball over being able to salvage those plays," said Pottinger. "We have to work on maintaining our composure. Some of our guys were off their games when a basketball game is going on. We have to keep our heads in it."

The Kings move to 6-1 on the season and have a pair of games away from the RDC Gym next weekend. Friday, Nov. 25 the RDC Kings face the Ambrose University Lions in Calgary at 8:00 p.m. Lethbridge College will host the RDC Kings on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 8:00 p.m.