Rattler men to play for bronze

By Medicine Hat News on March 2, 2019.

Once again the Medicine Hat College men’s basketball team hung tight with the top-ranked team in their conference.

But they won’t be battling for gold and a spot at nationals in Saturday’s final.

The Rattlers fell 112-96 to the SAIT Trojans Friday in a semifinal at Lloydminster, relegating them to a bronze medal contest against Augustana.

SAIT went on a 16-2 run in the first quarter and stayed ahead after that, getting 28 points from player of the year Ian Tevis and 24 apiece from John Smith and Nicholas Molina. The Trojans, who have only lost once all season, hit 13 three-pointers and went to the free-throw line 31 times to Medicine Hat’s 16.

Jaamel Slack had a game-high 33 points, while Kieron Burgess – who had averaged around 25 points and 20 rebounds this season – was held to 11 points and 13 boards in the loss.

Medicine Hat had lost by seven and 10 points two weeks ago to SAIT in the regular season.

SAIT plays Concordia in the conference final where the winner will advance to nationals. The News incorrectly stated in Friday’s paper that both men’s semifinalists would go to nationals – the ACAC did not get a wild card berth this season.

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