At RDC, Matear leads Kings over Lions by 12

Saturday at RDC, the Red Deer College Kings Basketball team faced the Ambrose University Lions in their final regular season game. The Kings have qualified for the postseason as a top 4 team in the ACAC Men's Basketball South Division but their placement can change. 

It was an even opening quarter with each team scoring 21 points. Matt Matear led the Kings with 8 points. Kyler Shula had 6 for the Lions.

The Kings had a 30-17 advantage in the 2nd quarter and led 51-38 at the half. For RDC, Spencer Klassen contributed 8 points, 1 steal and 2 rebounds. Marcus Harris had 11 points for Ambrose University.

The Kings outscored the Lions by 6 (25-19) in the 3rd quarter and extended their lead 76-57. Shayne Stumpf scored 11 points and grabbed 6 rebounds for the Kings in the quarter. For the Lions, Dyson Surmik and Kyler Shula scored 8 points each.

In the 4th quarter, Ambrose University had 35 points while RDC responded with 28. The Kings picked up a 104-92 home victory. Ian Tevis stacked up 9 points, 1 assist and 1 rebound in the quarter. Over 4 quarters, the RDC Kings connected on 46.9% of their shots from the field. 

Matt Matear was named the Kings player-of-the-game. The 5th year Business Administration (General Management) student totalled 29 points. 

"At half-time, Matt Matear had 19 points and 11 rebounds and finished with 29 points and 16 rebounds," said Kings Basketball Head Coach Clayton Pottinger. "It was a fantastic effort by him."

Despite scoring over 100 points, Pottinger was pleased with the effort for just over half of the game.

"We only played about 2 and a half quarters in total of what I would call playoff style basketball. We are still trying to keep our intensity up for an entire game," said Pottinger. "Sometimes it is a bit situational when we get up by a bit but if we look back to the history of our games there is a pattern of us getting up in a game and then taking a break and allowing teams to come back. We were up 20 plus points in this game and it ended up being a 12 point game where we gave up 90 plus points."

The Kings will begin preparation for the playoffs after some recuperation.

"We will get some rest 1st to get our minds right, then we will see who our opponent will be and make a game plan accordingly," said Pottinger. 

With the win, the RDC Kings (15-6) improve to 30 points in the South Division and sit in 2nd spot. The Rattlers, Trojans and Kodiaks have 2 games remaining and the final standings will be determined after next weekend. 

The RDC Kings will compete in the ACAC Men's Basketball Championship March 2-4 in Medicine Hat.