RDP Kings deliver consistent performance, drop Lions to wrap up regular season

Brent Forster - Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics

Red Deer, AB – The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings had a consistent effort Saturday evening against the visiting Ambrose University Lions.

The Kings won three quarters and drew even on the fourth, downing the Lions 95-78 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

"Ambrose got up 12-6 and then we finished the first quarter up 24-20," said Darren Graham, Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Basketball Head Coach. "It maybe wasn't the perfect start, but it was a good start."

The home team held a 47-34 edge at the half.

"Tonight, we executed at a high level like we did last night, but we didn't have the mistakes tonight," added Graham. "Fourteen points off the bench were a huge lift going into half-time. We had a 13 point lead, which was probably the difference right there."

Crespo (12)

Eduardo Crespo powered the Kings with 12 points at the break, including a pair of three pointers.

Linden Jackson led the Lions with 12 points.

The RDP Kings knocked down 48 latter half points. The Ambrose University Lions responded with 44 and the Kings picked up the home decision. 

Eduardo Crespo led the offensive charge for RDP, totaling 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals over 19 minutes. Arlington's Antonio Benjamin added a total of 12.  

"I thought Antonio came off the bench to give us nine big points in the first half," explained Graham. "Kirk plays great defence all the time and any offence is a bonus, and he chipped in with five in the first half."

Kirklan Hall, a first-year Justice Studies student, added a pair of points in the latter half for a total of seven.

Ty King (5)

North Star Sports Kings Players of the Game were awarded to Tyronn King and Cody White, who are graduating at the end of the season. King scored 13 points and finished the season as the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) leading scorer (24.6 points per game). White added 15 points. 

"Eduardo and Ty, they do their part where they impact the game on the offensive end," said Graham. "We have to come together and play defence as a team to get stops on the other end." 

Lions Player of the Game Isaac Gray scored 23 points. Linden Jackson had a game high 26 points. 

"They are a very veteran savvy team," said Graham. "They have two of the best players in the league in Isaac Gray and Linden Jackson."  

The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings shot 48 per cent from the field, 33.3 per cent from three-point range, and 77.8 per cent from the free throw line.

The Ambrose University Lions countered with 46.8, 25, and 53.8 per cent.

"Our ball movement - our assist total in the last two games has been higher than its ever been - where we are pushing 20 plus assists per game, when we had a hard time getting above 15," added Graham of the Kings' 21 assists. "So the team play is really coming around. I've been impressed with that."  

On Friday, March 4, the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings (9-7) will host an ACAC South Division quarter-final against the Briercrest College Clippers (5-11). 

Graduating student-athletes

Tyronn King, Cody White

ACAC Men's Basketball Playoff Format

Friday, March 4           
       South Game 1: South #6 (Briercrest College) vs South #3 (Red Deer Polytechnic) 
       South Game 2: South #5 (Ambrose University Lions) vs South #4 (St. Mary's University)
       North Game 2: North #5 (NAIT) vs North #4 (GPRC)
       North Game 1: North #6 (Concordia University) vs North #3 (Lakeland College)                    

 Saturday, March 5     
       South Game 3: Winner South Game 1 vs South #2 (Lethbridge College)
       South Game 4: Winner South Game 2 vs South #1 (SAIT Trojans)

Sunday, March 6
       North Game 4: Winner North Game 2 vs North #1 (Keyano College)
       North Game 3: Winner North Game 1 vs North #2 (U of A Augustana)

Final Four

Friday, March 11
        Final Four Game 1: South #2 vs North #1
        Final Four Game 2: North #2 vs South #1

Saturday, March 12
         Gold: Winner Game 2 vs Winner Game 1
         Bronze: Loser of Game 2 vs Loser of Game 1