Men’s basketball comeback cut short

The Rattlers men’s basketball team came one point shy of completing a rousing comeback on Saturday at Red Deer College.

The Rattlers entered the second half trailing by 14 and managed to narrow the gap to a single point before finally bowing out in an 83-82 nailbiter to the Kings.

Guard Jon Sappleton posted a team-high 26 points while adding seven rebounds for the Rattlers. Fellow guard Aaron Cameron added 20 and forward Osato Obaseki had 15.

Daniel Powell led Red Deer’s offence with 26 points and 14 rebounds.

The setback drops Medicine Hat to 12-4 on the ACAC season. Red Deer improved to 9-6 with the win.

The Rattlers women’s basketball team dropped their second straight Saturday in Red Deer with a 55-52 loss to the Queens.

Guard Courtney Henry led the Rattlers with 16 points in the loss while Kendall Kuntz added 15 and Kennedy Werre recorded eight rebounds.

The Queens spread their offence around in the victory — with nine players recording at least four points in the win — Emily White finished with a teamhigh 13 points and seven rebounds.

While the Rattlers still hold second place in the ACAC South with the loss, their lead over the Olds Broncos shrunk to two points with five games left in their season — and the Broncos hold a game in hand.

The Rattlers basketball teams return to the Snake Pit Friday to host the Briercrest Clippers.