Broncos break into the win column

Olds College Sports Information
November 2, 2018

OLDS, Alta. - There's nothing quite like your first.

The Olds College Broncos used a strong start to find the win column for the first time this season, defeating the Briercrest College Clippers 83-69 at the Ralph Klein Centre on Friday.

Broncos head coach Mike Stevens was happy to finally get on the board.

"The first one's always the hardest to get, so now that the guys know they can do it, it's a matter of building on all the positive steps," he said.

Overall, Stevens was pleased to see the team's efforts in practice applied in game situations.

"We really focused on trying to stay together, lots of energy and getting active," he said. "We got our hands on a lot of balls, and that allowed us to get out in the open court and run a little bit.

"When we're able to do that and share the basketball, it's fun to watch and fun to play."

Jouvon Edison (Reno, Nev.), the reigning ACAC Co-Male Athlete of the Week, paced the Broncos (1-4) with 20 points and eight rebounds, while Landon Parrington (Saskatoon, Sask.) made a strong contribution off the bench, finishing with 17 points and six rebounds.

For Briercrest (0-4), Nicholas Gregersen was the focal point all night, as he finished with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Aaron Adrian fell just short of a double-double, ending up with 13 points and nine rebounds.

The Broncos got the jump early, racing out to a quick 25-11 lead before ending the first quarter up 27-15.

"I talked to the guys about coming out like a caged tiger that's ready to come out and pounce right away," Stevens said. "I thought they bought into that really well, and it allowed us to get out to a lead, so when there was that lull, instead of having to fight back, at least we were still ahead."

Gregersen did his best to will the Broncos back into the game in the second as he scored 12 of his 22 in the frame, though Olds College continued to hold a 48-34 advantage heading into halftime.

The third quarter was also tight, as the Broncos and Briercrest matched each other shot for shot, with the Broncos taking a 65-50 lead into the fourth.

The Clippers rattled off a quick 8-0 run to bring the deficit down to single digits midway through the fourth, but Olds College persevered and came away with the victory.

Karan Gill (Calgary, Alta.) was named The Pit BBQ Broncos Player of the Game with nine points, six assists and four rebounds, while Gregersen took the award for the Clippers.

Both teams will hit the road for their next matchups, both taking place Saturday at 8 p.m. The Broncos head south to face the Lethbridge College Kodiaks, while the Clippers will head to the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre to battle the Red Deer College Queens.

Stevens is hoping his team will showcase a more focused transition game against the Kodiaks.

"Lethbridge will run on opportunities," he said. "We celebrated too much on some of our scores and didn't get back, and Lethbridge will make us pay."