Trojans bounce Lightning, get set to host ACAC Final Four
CALGARY, ALTA., (March 6, 2022) - In a weekend filled with post-season upsets across all sports in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference, the SAIT Trojans men's basketball team left no doubt.
The No. 1 ranked Trojans pulled down rebound after rebound on their way to a decisive 107-76 victory over the fourth-seeded St. Mary's University Lightning in their ACAC quarter-final matchup played Sunday night at SAIT's Campus Centre.
SAIT, winners of the last four straight ACAC titles, will look to make it five in a row next weekend when they will host Red Deer Polytechnic, Keyano College and Lakeland College in a Final Four to see who is the cream of the crop. While game times have not been set, the Day 1 matchups have.
The Trojans will meet Lakeland College, who went 9-7 in the North Division and beat the University of Alberta-Augustana to punch their ticket.
Keyano College, who steamrolled the North to the tune of a 16-0 record, will meet Red Deer Polytechnic after their upset of second-ranked Lethbridge College earlier in the weekend.
In Sunday's game, it was the Lightning who got out to a quick start thanks to some sharp shooting from Ryan Morck and Caleb Jipp. In the first quarter of play, they held an 18-8 lead which SAIT slowly chipped away at. By the time the buzzer sounded on the opening 10 minutes, the teams were tied 23-23.
Morck and Jipp combined for 11 points in the first quarter, but just 12 points in the remaining three.
A 29-17 second quarter put the SAIT up by 12 at the break - 52-40. After halftime, not much changed as the defending champs increased their lead to 25.
SAIT dominated on the glass as well, outrebounding their cross-town opponents 51-28.
The Trojans were led offensively by Marcus Masters, who scored a game high 25 points with 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Teammate Taliik Ross added 18 points and 12 rebounds.
St. Mary's Averie Armbrister scored 18 points.
Morck and SAIT's Gemie Muya were named Players of the Game.