By Scott Roblin

Rattlers men’s team stymied in NAIT tournament opener

Jan 6, 2018 | 12:40 PM

EDMONTON, AB – Tune ups continue for the Medicine Hat College Rattlers men’s basketball team, as they prepare to get the second half of their season underway in a few days time.

On Friday, the Rattlers were in Edmonton for their first game of a short exhibition tournament, facing off against the host NAIT Ooks.

Thomas Laxdal scored seven points off the bench in the opening quarter for the Rattlers, but trailed the Ooks 19-16 after 10 minutes of play.

In the second quarter Jon Sappleton was a man on a mission, scoring 15 of Medicine Hat’s 19 points to close the NAIT lead to a single point at halftime 36-35.

It was another step back for the Rattlers in the third quarter, being outscored 19-14 by the host Ooks to find themselves in a 55-49 hole with 10 minutes remaining.

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Rallying in the fourth, Medicine Hat was able to cut the NAIT lead to just three points but ended up falling by a final score of 74-71.

Sappleton was the Rattlers’ best player on Friday night, picking up another double-double on the season with 27 points, 16 rebounds, five steals, and two assists.

The NAIT Tournament continues on Saturday for the Rattlers when they take on the University of Alberta-Augustana Vikings, before heading to Olds College next weekend to get the regular season back underway.