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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: Feb 03, 2023

SAIT Overcomes Gritty Clippers’ Squad

Box Score
Game Leaders
SAIT
Pts: Marcus Masters - 30
Reb: Mayen Maen - 10
Ast: 2 Players (#00, #01) - 5
BC
Pts: Zach Martens - 14
Reb: 2 Players (#8, #21) - 7
Ast: 2 Players (#4, #6) - 4
Team Stats
Full stats

by Jeff Misener

In ACAC South Division men's basketball, the SAIT Trojans (8-7) tipped off against the Briercrest Clippers (2-14). The visiting Trojans are on the outside of the playoff picture, and a victory would enhance their chances of postseason action. For the Clippers, half of their losses have come in games decided by fewer than ten points, including a pair of one-possession heartbreakers last weekend against Olds College.

SAIT opened the proceedings with trapping pressure and crisp offense, highlighted by a pair of Marcus Masters' triples. Briercrest chipped away at an early deficit, and free throws by Brolin Simes, plus inside work by Matthew Bryant, knotted the game at 15-15. Patient ball movement by the Clippers led to an open trey from Ben Macdonald. A missed SAIT dunk led to a Simes' three in transition, but Masters' third triple gave SAIT a 29-23 lead.

Masters again rippled the twine from range before Kaedyn Banilevic and Simes responded. SAIT relied on the veteran savvy of Masters and Charlie Connor to execute a patient and efficient offense. The Trojans sported a healthy 56-36 advantage at halftime.

SAIT quickly increased their lead after the break. Banilevic found a cutting Lual Piok, and Bryant exerted his energies on the boards, but Masters and teammate Mikasi Allen continued to hit long range shots. A three at the buzzer by Clippers' Brendan Mayes cut the lead to 81-58.

Briercrest's Ben Macdonald opened the final frame with a three as the Clippers dug deep into reservoirs of character and resilience. Big man Zach Martens converted two three-point plays and a dunk, and Simes and Bryant made tough layups in traffic. Bryant's breakaway dunk brought the home crowd to its feet. Banilevic hit a closing three as SAIT won the game, 94-81.

Player of the Game for the SAIT Trojans was guard Marcus Masters, with a game high 30 points, five assists, and three steals. Teammate Mayen Maen notched a double-double (16 points, 10 boards) in support. For Briercrest, rookie Kaedyn Banilevic, who was full value for his tenacious defense on SAIT's Masters, had a team-high three triples as part of his thirteen-point outburst, while second-year centre Zach Martens collected 14 points and seven boards.