Lions hand Trojans first loss of the season
Tonight saw the Lions face the Trojans on home court only a few weeks after playing each other at SAIT where multiple ejections occurred due to a skirmish to end the game. Much credit goes out to both teams tonight as neither team let the past distract them from playing a hard fought while respective game.
Gemie Muya-ntalaja and the Trojans took an early first quarter lead thanks to strong first quarter shooting as they lead by 4 at the break. The Lions did a great job weathering the early storm from the Trojans as they exploded in the 2nd half as at half Ambrose lead 9.
The #2 ranked team in the Nation (SAIT) wouldn't go down without a fight tonight as even though the Lions stretched the lead to 12 early in the 3rd quarter the Trojans would take the lead with 1min left in the 3rd. A key offensive rebound and put back by Nhail Phillip would get the Lions back on top along with an Isaac Gray jump shot.
The start of the 4th saw the two teams exchange the before a 3 from Calvin Champers and a couple free throws by Tyis Hunt – Yellow Horn would put the Trojans back on top with 5 min to go. Isaac Gray and the rest of the Lions played extremely strong at both ends of the floor to close out the game. While in the past their free throw shooting has let the down, tonight to close out the game, the Lions were nearly perfect, not allowing SAIT to tie or retake the lead after playing strong defence.
After the game, Head Coach, Neil Nystrom talked about how he was proud of all of his guys after beating a strong SAIT squad.
"Isaac played a really good game for us in the 2nd half, Nhail did a great job for us rebounding and finishing inside, and Sylvan Lombo, coming in off the bench hitting a couple big 3's for us in the fourth quarter really helped us to be successful. We were fortunate to hit a couple extra shots down the stretch and get a couple stops where they didn't get as many good looks and I think that was the difference between two really good, evenly matched teams."
Player of the Game awards were presented to Isaac Gray and Gemie Muya-ntalaja.
Ambrose has one more game next week Friday) before the winter break, as they play the St. Mary's Lightning who beat the early in the season at home in the Den.