Kodiaks win Big over Rattlers
The Lethbridge Kodiaks headed into Medicine Hat to take on the Rattlers in the battle of Highway 3. The host Rattlers looked to get the Snake Pit going early, coming out of the gate fast. Medicine Hat was able to find the basket early going up 9-5 quickly. The scoring stalled for a bit as both teams locked down on defence. Finally trading baskets with 5 min on the clock the teams looked to get rolling again. The Kodiaks were able to get 2 quick baskets and the score was tied at 11. This saw the Rattlers take a timeout to regroup. Able to get to the line and hit both, the Rattlers took back a slim lead. This was short lived as the Kodiaks again made 2 quick baskets to take their first lead of the game, up 16-13. 2 more points from the charity stripe saw Lethbridge extend the lead before the break. At the quarter the Kodiaks led 22-16 holding a slim margin.
The second started with a slower scoring pace. The Kodiaks were first to break through scoring 4 points to take a 10 point lead. With the help of some sloppy Rattler turnovers the Kodiaks continued to add on the fast break. Medicine Hat finally got on the board in the quarter scoring 2, but they struggled to produce on the offensive end. Lethbridge was continuing to score on almost every possession of the half, opening up a 33-18 lead. Continuing to pull away, the Kodiaks dominated the boards and the steals going up 40-20 with 4:30 on the clock. The scoring once again slowed in the last 5 minutes but the Kodiaks added to their lead making it 46-21 at the half.
The second half started with a quick basket from the visitors only to be answered right away. The Kodiaks still led by over 20, but both teams continued to battle on every possession. The back and forth scoring returned as the halfway point passed with the score 59-30. Once again turning it up on offence the kodiaks expanded their lead once again, adding 5 quick points. As the end of the quarter neared, the Kodiaks maintained their margin, doubling the Rattlers at 68-34. The Kodiaks added at the end of the quarter making it 73-34 at the break.
The fourth quarter opened with the Rattlers hitting a deep 3 and the Kodiaks scoring another in the paint. Having success inside and on second chance points, Lethbridge continued to look inside hoping to score. Their continued success saw them quickly pad their lead. Racing to 82 Lethbridge gobbled up every rebound and won the loose ball battles. The Kodiaks were not burning clock on offence either, looking to score at first opportunity. Getting above 90, lethbridge pressed to get to 100. Not getiing all the way there the Kodiaks won 96-45.