Briercrest falls just short in another tight game with Red Deer

Posted: December 5, 2014

Briercrest faced Red Deer for a rematch on Friday, December 5 after Briercrest played with perseverance but lost to Red Deer on Thursday.  The first quarter began with Habib Habib who took a steal and added a layup. Josh Tippe added two points to the scoreboard with an assist from Josh Klassen, 6-4 for Red Deer. Julian Apakoh put up a three pointer with an assist from Drew Schulz, 8-7 for Red Deer. Briercrest then turned the ball over which created an opportunity for Red Deer to put up two points , 10-9 for Red Deer. Apakoh with a step-back jumper. Briercrest took the lead with a layup from Schulz 11-10. Keon with the dish to Apakoh in the inside laying it up and fouled for the and-one. Apakoh hit the free throw 14-10 for Briercrest. Schulz put in another layup, 16-13 for Briercrest. Habib took two fouls and made both free throws, 18-15 for Briercrest which concluded the first quarter.

Second quarter: Schulz added an easy layup 20-19 for Briercrest. Apakoh put up a three pointer, 25-25. Jared Wicks put up a three 28-33 for Red Deer. Briercrest took a time out after Red Deer managed to pull forward at 36-30 for Red Deer. Apakoh gave Briercrest two points. Briercrest turned the ball over, leaving the halftime score 41-32 for Red Deer.

The third quarter started with Habib who took a foul and made the shot 53-40 for Red Deer. Briercrest took a timeout after Red Deer sped ahead. Tippe made both his foul shots 65-48 for Red Deer. 67-48 ended the third quarter.

Fourth quarter: Briercrest pushed to put up more points but Red Deer remained strong, 72-54 for Red Deer. Habib took a foul and made both shots. Julian put up a layup, 72-58 for Red Deer. Habib put up two easy layups in a row, 77-64 Briercrest not too far behind. Schulz followed with a layup, 77-68 for Red Deer which made the last few minutes a close call. Briercrest took a timeout after Red Deer put in a couple more points. Wicks drove through the key and put up a layup 79-70 for Red Deer. The match concluded 79-70 for Red Deer.

Players of the game were Mike Zurakowski for Red Deer and Julian Apakoh for Briercrest. Apakoh had a team high 21 points to go with seven rebounds and an assist. Other notable players for Briercerst were Drew Schulz with a team high 11 rebounds and four assists to go with 10 points and a steal, and Habib Habib with 16 points and six rebounds.

Briercrest outrebounded Red Deer 39-37. Red Deer had the edge in assists 22-10, blocks 4-1 and steals 16-7.

Briercrest's next game will be January 16 at Medicine Hat College.

If you can’t make it to the next game be sure to watch online at acac.tv.

For up to date information on the Briercrest basketball team, “like” the Briercrest Basketball facebook page.