This evening Briercrest Men’s Basketball took on first place team, Red Deer College.

Red Deer took an early lead to start off the first quarter. Briercrest felt the heat so they called timeout at 13-2. Red Deer made key defensive and offensive plays causing Briercrest to fall further behind. Briercrest battled hard and chipped away at the score. The first quarter ended with a score of 25-10 for Red Deer.

Red Deer carried their momentum over into the second quarter and continued to lengthen their lead. Briercrest called a timeout at 43-16  in hopes of closing the gap. Briercrest did not give up and fought till the end of the first half. The first half of the game ended at 63-17 for Red Deer.

At half time Refined Undignified’s Blue Team, performed their new dance called “Manolo”.

Briercrest came into the second half of the game reenergized and ready. Briercrest caused Red Deer to have nine turnovers giving them the opportunity to sink key shots and three-pointers. Red Deer saw Briercrest’s rally and called timeout at 82-35. The score was 85-40 for Red Deer at the end of the quarter.

Briercrest came into the last quarter not ready to give up. Julian Apakoh nailed a slam duck to get the team and crowd roaring. Briercrest continued to work hard to close the gap. Colton Rayburn sunk three 3-pointers and Ethan DaSilva had seven assists to help catch up. When the final buzzer rang, the score was 110-81 for Red Deer.

Julian Apakoh was awarded Player of the Game by former Briercrest basketball coach and current Vice-President Operations and Finance, Rod Adrian. Apakoh had game highs of two blocks and nine rebounds along with team highs of two steals and 16 points. Apakoh also had two assists in the match. Ethan DaSilva also had a game high of nine rebounds along with a game high of 11 assists. Colton Rayburn also had a team high of three 3-pointers.

Red Deer swept the stats with 55-43 rebounds, 30-21 assists, 6-3 blocks and 11-6 steals.

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