Ooks Lose Close Match Against Lakeland

The NAIT Ooks took on the Lakeland Rustlers at home on Tuesday night. The two teams were supposed to meet a couple of weeks ago, but due to covid protocol, the game was postponed. After a tough fought battle, the Rustlers came from behind to win the game 82-76.

Both teams came ready to play on the one-off Tuesday evening game. The NAIT Ooks came out early with a five-point lead, but the Rustlers weren't backing down as they came back and gained the lead late in the first quarter. NAIT got two foul shots with 15 seconds left; they were only one point behind after sinking one. After dropping another basket with three seconds left, the Ooks came ahead 18-16 after the first quarter.

The Ooks pulled ahead 22-16 early in the second and held onto the lead for a while. The Rustlers tried to breakthrough, but the Ooks defense blocked their way. The Ooks kept the pressure on as they widened their lead. The score was 41-26.

Both teams came out hard in the third quarter. Lakeland wasn't ready to go home just yet. It was a strong back and forth quarter, but the Rustlers couldn't gain the lead over the Ooks. Lakeland was down by eight, but a beautiful buzzer-beater by Lakeland put them within six. The score was 56-50 after the third.

Lakeland came out strong in the fourth and got within five points to keep this game close. They kept the pressure on as they came within two points halfway through the quarter. A great shot by Lakeland tied the game at 66 with four minutes left. The Rustlers dank a three-pointer late in the quarter to go ahead 75-72. NAIT came back, but the Rustlers put the pressure on to go ahead by four. That was enough for them to take the game. The Ooks lose a heart-breaking match in the last few minutes of the game after holding the lead for the majority.