Ambrose Falls to Top Seed Keyano

Tournament host Ambrose Lions came in as big-time underdogs in their first-round matchup against the 20-0 Keyano College Huskies in the final game of the opening night.

              The Lions came out confident leading 11-8 5 minutes into the quarter. Down 10-13, Keyano rattled off a 10-0 run to take back control turning the deficit around into an 8-point lead. A pair of free throws from Ambrose's Isaac Gray helped to cut into the lead as the Huskies won the quarter 23-19.

              Momentum continued in the Huskies' favor into the second as they grew their lead to 16 midway through the quarter led by Omeechi Williams. The Lions chipped away at it through the rest of the quarter to enter the break down just 43-49.

              Coming out of the break the Lions stayed in rhythm getting within a point just three minutes into the quarter. But the Huskies' offensive onslaught couldn't be contained for long as they responded with a swift 12-2 run of their own to take back a double-digit advantage. A three-pointer for Ty Schenk brought the Lions back within 4 with a few minutes to play but were back down 62-72 before the end of the quarter.

              The pressure continued in the fourth and the Lions were running out of gas after losing guard Alonzo Tan to injury. The Huskies' offensive efficiency was on full display down the stretch shooting 13-17 from the floor in the quarter. In the end, the Lions couldn't quite keep up with the undefeated powerhouse and fell 100-85.

              With the win, the Huskies move on to face the reigning champion SAIT Trojans while Ambrose will take on the NAIT Ooks. Player of the game awards were given to Huskies #7 Keenen Caribou who had 16 points and 9 rebounds off the bench, and to Lions' Isaac Gray who went 14-14 from the charity stripe en route to a game-high 30 points.