Ooks Win at Home Against Eagles
Saturday's action saw the second game of the double header between the Kings University Eagles and the NAIT Ooks. After coming away with the victory Friday night, the Ooks were able to get out to a 13-4 lead in the first five minutes of tonight's game. The Ooks continued with their hot start by getting out in transition and scoring some easy buckets before the Eagles could get their defense set. The Eagles were able to keep it within striking distance due to some big shots hit from #6 Josh Povhe and #1 Cameron Knisely
The Ooks lead 24-16 after the 1st quarter.
The second quarter saw the Ooks increase their lead from a 3-pointer by #4 and a 3-point-play by #13. The Eagles were not going away easy after last night's defeat. #1 Cameron Knisely was able to knock down two more 3-pointers to cut the Ooks lead down to ten mid-way through the quarter. The Eagles were able to keep the spread the same as it was after the first quarter heading into the half.
The Ooks lead 43-35 at half time.
The second half saw the Eagles bring the pressure, attempting to cut into the Ooks lead. After cutting it to six, Ooks #1 Griffin Lorenz was able to hit a big 3-pointer to swing the momentum back in their favour. The Eagles increased intensity saw them get into early foul trouble, leading to the Ooks having bonus for the final six-minutes of the quarter. Eagles #17 Evan Castle was able to hit back-to-back 3-pointers to end the quarter keeping the spread at single digits heading into the final quarter.
The Ooks lead 65-56 after the 3rd quarter.
The pressure from the Eagles carried over from the third quarter to start the final ten minutes. The Eagles were able to cut the lead down to five after a 3-point play by #15 Benjamin Thess, making it the closest it has been since the opening minutes. With the Eagles on the doorstep, Ooks #9 Yasser Abdullahi started to take over the game. Multiple possessions in a row saw him scoring on the offensive side and making just as important plays on the defensive side. Eagles #1 Cameron Knisely hit another late 3-pointer to cut the lead down to eight with less than two-minutes to play. The Eagles would get as close as five but the Ooks were able to hold on for the weekend sweep of their cross-town rivals.
The Ooks won 87-76
Kings Eagles Player of the Game: #1 Cameron Knisely
NAIT Ooks Player of the Game: #1 Griffin Lorenz