Photo: Rustlers forward, Nicole Akre, hit double digits both games this past weekend, but her team fell short against the Eagles. - Robb Fenton Photo
By Robb Fenton
The Lakeland Rustlers women’s basketball team continues to stay close to the top teams the ACAC has to offer, but unfortunately close doesn’t result in wins.
Once again this past weekend the Rustlers hung tough, but dropped both games to the King’s Eagles; 61-53 at home Friday night and 62-54 in Edmonton Saturday.
“They are a very good team, very physical. I thought we did a good job defensively playing with them and rebounding the ball. On the offensive side, we got a little bit stagnant,” Rustlers head coach, Chris King said. “We got it to three points with about two minutes left, but we just ran out of gas. There are a couple plays in the fourth quarter that cost us momentum, but that’s how the game goes.”
It was a game of missed opportunities for the Rustlers as they committed too many turnovers that led to baskets by the Eagles.
“We missed some layups, we turned the ball over and a technical foul was a five point swing, that hurt us a lot. We can’t let our emotions get the better of us,” King admitted, adding his team was still in it after a few bad breaks. “Even so, we had chances to win that game, we just have to learn how to finish a game like that and fight through the fatigue.”
Another bad start had the Rustlers in the hole early on as they trailed 16-9 at the end of the first quarter and were outscored 8-2 in the last four minutes.
“I’m happy with our effort, but nobody likes to lose. I think our biggest thing is to maintain what we need to do the whole game,” said Amber Kassian, who put up a game-high 18 points.
King echoed Kassian’s statement, noting his team needs to come out of the gates better, but he’s not sure what the key is.
“I don’t know if it’s a lack of focus, or we just come out flat, bad warm ups, we’ve been trying to change some things we do before the game and obviously we’re not coming focussed for the first quarter. It seems like we pick up it after the second and third, but it’s just not soon enough,” King said. “We need to be there against good teams from start to end, that’s how we’re going to win those games.”
Kassian led all scorers in the game, while Nicole Akre put up 10 points and Jillana Knauft recorded a double-double.
While staying close to the top teams is nice, both Kassian and King know they are going to have to pull out some wins in the second semester if they want to reach the playoffs and make any noise once they get there.
“I think a little bit of everything needs to improve on our end. Our rebounding, shots and everyone needs to contribute. We all need to step up and play our game,” she said.
“It’s definitely nice to stick with a top team, but in the end you want those wins,” King said. “Our girls are learning to compete against the best teams and I’m really proud of what they’re doing right now on the court.”
Up next for the Rustlers (3-7) is another matchup against a top team, as they take on the Concordia Thunder (9-1) Friday on the road and Saturday at Lakeland Gym for a 6 p.m. tip-off.