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Rattlers basketball teams split Saturday road games in Olds

Jan 15, 2018 | 1:22 PM

OLDS, AB – More good than bad for the Medicine Hat College Rattlers basketball teams over the weekend, playing four games at Olds College against the Broncos.

Both of the Rattlers men’s and women’s teams came out flying against the Broncos on Friday night, winning by scores of 97-67 and 96-70, respectively.

In the rematch on Saturday night, the Rattlers men’s team rolled to their second straight victory with an 89-79 win over Olds.

Medicine Hat was able to hit 10 of their 18 shots in the first quarter to take a 26-17 lead over the Broncos, before Aaron Cameron and Josh Magpantay combined for a trio of three-pointers in the second quarter.

Up 47-33 at the half, Osato Obaseki racked up seven points for Medicine Hat in the third quarter to grow the Rattlers lead to 12 points.

Olds attempted to foul the Rattlers to get themselves back in the game in the fourth quarter, but Medicine Hat hit 11 free-throws to eventually walk away with an 89-79 over the Broncos.

Stephen Jones was a model of consistency for Medicine Hat, leading the team with 23 points while going 10 for 12 from the field.

Improving to an 8-2 record on the season, the Rattlers remain four points ahead of the Ambrose University Lions for second in the South Division.

As for the women’s contest on Saturday, it was a huge collapse for the Rattlers against a shorthanded Broncos squad.

Coming into the meeting, Olds was only able to dress six athletes with three of those playing the entire 40 minute game.

Kennedy Werre and Kendell Kuntz had a strong opening quarter for Medicine Hat, combining for 15 points and giving the Rattlers a 28-16 advantage after 10 minutes.

In the second quarter, the Broncos started with 6-0 run to close the Rattlers lead to six points, but Medicine Hat was able to settle into a groove once again and led 53-39 at the break.

Medicine Hat’s offence dried up to start the second half however, going scoreless over the first five and a half minutes to begin the quarter.

Going an ice-cold 3 for 13 from the field in the quarter, the Rattlers saw their lead shrink to only three points heading to the fourth.

Olds was able to score four straight baskets to start the fourth quarter to take their first lead of the game, going up 74-71 in the game’s final seconds.

Werre put up a three-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game, but rimmed out giving the Broncos their fourth victory of the season.

It’s Medicine Hat’s first regulation loss of the season, as the now 8-2 Rattlers weren’t able to surpass the SAIT Trojans for first place in the South Division.

The Rattlers now will get set for a home-and-home series against the St. Mary’s University Lightning, which begins on Friday evening in Calgary.