The RDC Kings did what they had to do to stay in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference men’s basketball playoff hunt.
RDC knocked off the Ambrose University Lions Saturday night the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre and with two games left in the regular season, are in a three-way tie for fourth in the ACAC South Division. The top for teams qualify for the ACAC Championships.
Guard Tyronn King led the charge in the 103-77 victory for the Kings. The fourth-year from Toronto, Ont., poured in a season-high 33 points in the win, on 11 of 19 shooting. He also went a career-high seven of 10 from three-point range and posted a double-double with 11 rebounds, six assists and four steals.
Third-year forward Kevin Szymanek also had a huge night, posting 19 points on an efficient eight of 10 shooting, along with four rebounds and two steals. Fourth-year guard Anthony Harper pitched in a double-double in the win with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Fifth-year Spencer Klassen of Redd Deer also chipped in 17 points.
Your @CollegiateSpMed #PlayerOfTheGame:@rdckingsBB 0️⃣4️⃣ Anthony Harper@AmbroseLions 0️⃣7️⃣ Nhial Phillip#ACAC pic.twitter.com/U9iHMmYjax
— RDC Athletics (@rdcathletics) February 23, 2020
The Kings got off to a huge start, outscoring the Lions 31-12 in the opening quarter. They cruised from there with a big 49-26 lead at halftime and 77-51 after three quarters. They shot 37 per cent from the field, 26 per cent from three and 59 per cent from the free throw line in the victory.
RDC will finish the regular season next weekend with a home-and-home against the St. Mary’s University Lightning.
The RDC Queens also won their third straight game Saturday, but are still on the outside looking in of the ACAC playoff picture.
RDC rolled over the Lions 73-35 in a dominant effort on both ends of the floor. RDC held Ambrose to single digits points in three of four quarters.
Your @CollegiateSpMed #PlayerOfTheGame:@rdcqueensBB 2️⃣3️⃣ Sandra Garcia Bernal@AmbroseLions 0️⃣9️⃣ Nya Gach#ACAC pic.twitter.com/uDkguBrjAe
— RDC Athletics (@rdcathletics) February 23, 2020
Third-year forward Britney Peters poured in 17 points in the victory to lead the way for RDC. She collected seven rebounds, four steals and one block. Second-year guard Harneet Sidhu pitched in 13 points while Amy Szymanek pitched in 12, along with eight rebounds, five steals and three blocks.
With two steals in the win, Spanish guard Sandra Garica-Bernal set a new Queens record for steals, amassing 148 in her three-year ACAC career. She was player of the game for the Queens.
The Queens sit fifth in the ACAC South and need wins in the final two games next weekend against St. Mary’s to qualify for provincials. If the Queens win both games, they will edge the Lethbridge College Kodiaks for a spot in the postseason.
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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