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Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference "To be Canada's premiere collegiate athletic conference by developing and inspiring leadership through excellence in academics, sport and citizenship"
Posted: Mar 02, 2024

Rustlers charge ahead in second half to earn ACAC Bronze

Rustlers charge ahead in second half to earn ACAC Bronze
Video Box Score
Game Leaders
SAIT
Pts: Kuol Kuol - 13
Reb: Tutu Akol - 9
Ast: Jaden Matthews - 8
LAKE
Pts: Chance Samuel - 16
Reb: 2 Players (#9, #15) - 6
Ast: 2 Players (#7, #9) - 4
Team Stats
Full stats

Fort McMurray, Alta. (March 2, 2024) - SAIT Trojans 58 Lakeland Rustlers 71

 The Lakeland Rustlers are on the podium in Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Men's Basketball for the second time in three seasons after a 71-58 victory against the SAIT Trojans in Saturday's Bronze Medal Game at the 2024 ACAC Final Four inside the Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre in Fort McMurray, Alta. 

"It's consolation," Rustlers Head Coach Sheray Thomas said. "It's good to end the season with a win. Obviously we had higher hopes, but sometimes it doesn't go that way. With a lot of turnover, a lot of new guys, we're happy to be third in Alberta."

The Trojans pulled ahead in the first half as five-point efforts from Tutu Akol and Amon Walker helped the Trojans lead 19-17 after the opening quarter. The Trojans then won a tight second quarter 22-20, with Marcus Masters scoring six of his nine points on the day in the quarter, to take a four-point lead into the half. 

It didn't take long for the Ruslters to erase the deficit though as they took charge in the third quarter. As part of a 22-8 frame, Roy Anku and Favour Ugbah each had six-point efforts in the quarter. 

"Guys just played with a lot of confidence," Thomas added. "We started double screens, started getting active. I think we held them to two quarters below 12 or 13 points. That helped us. We were able to make some shots and come away with it." 

Through it all, Baha Salma kept things rolling for the Rustlers with 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists on the day. He would later earn the Rustlers' lone spot on the Tournament All-Star team. 

"He was great; best I've seen him play this weekend," Thomas commented. "A well-deserved all-star. We were banged up so we really needed him to step up and he was an all-star for sure this weekend." 

Jaden Matthews claimed Player of the Game honours for the Trojans with five points, four rebounds, and eight assists on the day. Chance Samuel took the honours for the Rustlers with 16 points, three rebounds, and four assists. 

Players of the Game:
SAIT Trojans | #5 Jaden Matthews
Lakeland Rustlers | #7 Chance Samuel