In Calgary, Trojans over shorthanded Kings

With a shorthanded lineup due to injury and illness, the Red Deer College Kings Basketball team (1st in the ACAC South Division) travelled to Calgary to face the SAIT Trojans (3rd in the South Division). The Kings performed well in the 1st quarter, had a lull in the 2nd and the remainder of the game was fairly even but the Trojans came away with an 89-79 win. 

The Kings were ready to play from the opening drive and outscored the Trojans 29-24 in the 1st quarter. Ian Tevis led the way for RDC with 10 points. 

Outscoring the RDC Kings 21-9 in the 2nd quarter, the SAIT Trojans took a 45-38 edge at the half. Matt Matear and Shayne Stumpf each had 3 rebounds in the quarter.

In the 3rd quarter, the Kings scored 15 points while the Trojans responded with 22 and led 67-53. Shayne Stumpf contributed 7 points in the 3rd for the RDC Kings.

The Kings tried to rally and outscored the Trojans 26-22 in the final quarter but SAIT picked up the 89-79 home win. In the 4th quarter, Matt Matear contributed 6 points and 3 rebounds. Anthony Robbs chipped in with 4 points, 1 steal and 4 rebounds.

Ian Tevis led the Kings with a game total of 34 points. The Kinesiology and Sport Studies student added 3 steals, 2 assists and 11 rebounds. As a team, the RDC Kings finished with a total of 41 rebounds, 11 assists, 7 steals and 2 blocks. The Kings shot 36.9% from the field, 37% from behind the 3-point-arch and 53.8% from the free throw line.

Kings Head Coach Clayton Pottinger saw several positive aspects tonight but recognized fatigue set in.

"We tried to rally in the 4th quarter and came within 2 points, but we didn't have much in the tank late in the game," said Pottinger. "One of the difficulties, was that we had 5 student-athletes out of the lineup due to injuries or illness and we only played 6 guys tonight. Our players will need to take care of themselves and rest well before we play again tomorrow."

Pottinger praised Matt Matear for a strong effort.

"Matt was once again rock solid for us," said Pottinger. "His level of consistency was there and he finished with 11 boards."

The Business Administration student finished with 14 points, 1 steal, 1 assist, 11 rebounds and connected on 6-of-9 shots from the field. The RDC Kings remain in top spot in the ACAC Men's Basketball South Division with 16 points and are ranked 9th by the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).

Saturday at RDC, the Kings look to get back into the win column when they host the Trojans at 3:00 p.m.