Ooks Lose Fierce Battle to Kodiaks
Friday nights action saw the visiting Lethbridge Kodiaks taking on the NAIT Ooks. With only a few games left in the season, the Ooks needed a win to help keep their playoff hopes alive. The game started out with lots of energy and fast paced action. The Kodiaks were able to strike first getting out to an early 13-3 lead in the first five minutes of the game. Kodiaks #21 Declan Peterson was able to establish himself in the post early scoring eight points in the first six minutes of the game.
The Kodiaks lead 23-13 after the 1st quarter.
The second quarter saw the Kodiaks continue to keep the pressure on the Ooks. Ooks #9 Yasser Abdullahi was able spark an Ooks run and force the Kodiaks an early timeout. Out of the timeout Kodiaks #7 Filip Karanovic was able to hit back-to-back buckets pushing their lead up to 14. The rest of the quarter saw the Kodiaks able to maintain their double-digit margin heading into halftime.
The Kodiaks lead 44-33 at halftime.
The Kodiaks saw their lead increase from buckets by #7 Filip Karanovic and #3 Mason Hoffman. The Ooks continued to fight to keep the game within striking distance for a good portion of the quarter. Ooks #9 Yasser Abdullahi, #14 Nhiall Kuech and #13 Stian Gleddie were able to help them cut the lead down to single digits.
The Kodiaks lead 64-56 after the 3rd quarter.
The final quarter saw the Ooks keep the pressure on by trading shots with the Kodiaks in the opening minutes. The Kodiaks started to turn up the intensity by pushing their lead from buckets by #11 Drayden Walbuurger and #10 Ty Lewis. The Kodiaks were able to hold during the final five minutes and come away with the road victory.
The Kodiaks won 81-72.
Lethbridge Kodiaks Player of the Game: #3 Mason Hoffman
NAIT Ooks Player of the Game: #1 Griffin Lorenz