Klassen shines as Kings drop road decision against Lions

Brent Forster - RDC

Calgary, AB - In their season opener, the RDC Kings trailed by 11 points at the half and despite outscoring the Ambrose University Lions in the final two quarters they couldn't pull out the road victory. The Lions went on to win 85 - 83.

The Ambrose University Lions had an energetic start and led 44 - 33 after two quarters. Spencer Klassen was one of the key contributors for the Kings. The fourth-year guard from Red Deer had 13 points, 1 assist and 1 rebound at the half. Cody Bouchard totaled 12 points, 1 assist and 4 rebounds for the Lions.

The Kings outscored the Lions 50 - 41 in the second half, including an impressive 28 - 17 fourth quarter but they couldn't complete the rally. The Ambrose University Lions sealed a 85 - 83 win. 

Kings Basketball Head Coach Clayton Pottinger saw stretches of good play but not enough over four quarters. "We let the game get away from us in the first and third quarters and the Lions created momentum," he says. "In the fourth quarter, we tried to mount a bit of a comeback but there was too much inconsistency."

Pottinger was very pleased with the play from one of his guards. "Spencer (Klassen) played a really solid game tonight," he says. "He modeled what others need to do - to step up and develop that consistency over an entire game."

The Bachelor of Education student tried to single handedly will the Kings to a win with an outstanding effort. Klassen accumulated 33 points, 3 assists and 5 rebounds while going 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. 

Both Josh Daniel and Cody Bouchard had 18 points for the Lions. 

In their home opener, the RDC Kings (0 - 1) will entertain the Olds College Broncos (0 - 0) at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 19 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.