Royals Hit Rough Patch
After a 2-1 start to the season, the Royals have hit a rough patch.
After a 2-1 start to the season, the Royals have hit a rough patch.
It started last Sunday Nov 12th, when Lake Region State took on Rainy River and lost 77-76 in overtime. The Royals were plagued by turnovers and missed free throws. Turning it over 27 times and missing 19. The Royals didn't quit when they got down 12 at one point but worked to battle back and force OT. Led by soph Blessed Barhayiga, 16pts 11rebs & fresh Ginuwine Tropnas 14pts 11rebs, the comeback bid fell short.
After that a road trip to Gillette, WY.
The first night the Royals struggled to score offensively against the host team Gillette. The Pronghorns came into the game averaging 98pts per game with an average margin of victory over 40. The Royals worked hard defensively and held them in check all night only giving up 76pts. However, a cold shooting night where outside of freshman Mitch Leas's three 3's, the Royals only made 1 more all night going 4-18 from behind the arc. He tied for the leading scorer with Noah Bonick. Each had 9pts. The final 76-56.
A quick turnaround and a slow start put LRSC in a tough spot the next day when they took on Midwest Elite. The slow start, combined with 12 first half 3's had the Royals in a 51-33 hole at halftime. Once again though, they showed their resiliency and battled back to tie the game. The hole proved to be too great and the comeback could not be completed the Royals lost 84-82. The sophomores led the comeback bid for LRSC. Noah Bonick had 20pts 6rebs & 3ast while Blessed Barhayiga had 22pts & 12rebs.
Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jared Marshall had this to say, "Our biggest challenge right now is our turnovers. We have to get them under control, we're giving up too many extra possessions to the other team and it's hurting us. I like how we have shown some fight when we've been down. We haven't quit and that's going to be important for us moving forward.