Harper and Kings down Lions in steady 40 minute performance

Brent Forster - RDC

Red Deer, AB – A complete game from the Red Deer College Kings made it difficult for the Ambrose University Lions. The Kings dropped 31 points in the opening quarter and worked hard defensively throughout all four quarters en route to a 103-77 home decision. 

Kings Head Coach Darren Graham appreciated the well-rounded, consistent effort.

"We've been looking for a full 40 minute performance all year and I think that was the first one. I thought it was above average in terms of our standard of defence, and really good offence," he said. "We were knocking down our shots and in terms of the effectiveness on defence, I thought it came from our intensity and our will."

Eleven Kings played roles in reducing the Lions' offensive output from 106 points on Friday to 77 in the rematch.

"I liked everybody's game. Everybody brought it on defence. We've been preaching that our defence is a team effort but we haven't been there," said Graham. "We haven't been there in rotation and we haven't done what we've needed to do as a unit on defence and tonight I thought we did that."

The RDC Kings have started strong in several contests this season and they kept their foot on the gas.

"It's that time of the season when we have to get wins and the boys were focused," said Graham. "We've had strong starts against SAIT, against some of the better teams, we've started strong against Lethbridge, we were leading at half. We have not put 40 minutes together, so tonight was kind of the whole 40 minute effort, which was pleasing as a coach." 

Collegiate Sports Medicine Kings Player-of-the-Game Anthony Harper recorded a double-double. The six-foot-five guard from Annapolis, Maryland finished with ten points, ten rebounds, three assists and a steal. 

King (13)

Tyronn King led the Kings with 33 points. Kevin Szymanek added 19. Fifth-year Spencer Klassen totaled 17 points, five assists, two rebounds and a pair of steals. Ramiro Martinez Quintanilla Jimenez sank 13 points.

"In terms of individual performances, Ty was off the hook. He was hitting everything. It was impressive. He was very focused, getting to the rim, hitting outside. Spencer was dialled in. He shot very well and played great defensively," said Graham. "Ramiro chipped in some buckets from outside. Kevin was a presence inside. Anthony is like a stats machine - rebounds, assists, points. He almost had a triple-double last night and double-double tonight. I'm really proud of him. He did very well."

Nhial Phillip picked up the top player award for the Lions, contributing 18 points, nine rebounds, two steals and one assist. 

Harper and Phillip

Ambrose University's Isaac Gray scored 16 points and Matt Francisco chipped in with 11.

The home team hit 50 per cent of its field goal attempts. The visitors responded with 37.1.

Ambrose University held a slight edge on the boards (48-45).

Payton Baltzer (8) was perfect from beyond the arc

The Kings have two games remaining in the regular season and share fourth in the south with the St. Mary's University Lightning (9-10) and Briercrest College Clippers (9-10). The RDC Kings (9-10) will play the St. Mary's University Lightning (9-10) in Calgary on Friday, Feb. 28 at 8:00 pm. Then on Saturday, the Kings will entertain the Lightning at 8:00 pm at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

"They are a very good team. I believe their record doesn't do them justice. I'm going to start by giving them all the credit in the world," said Graham. "We have to play a full 40 minutes on both ends of the court. We need to focus and have the resiliency to withstand runs by the other team, which I thought we did well tonight." 

The Ambrose University Lions (11-8) will face the Olds College Broncos (1-18) in a pair of games to wrap up the regular season.