The last time the Saskatchewan Rattlers played on their home floor at SaskTel Centre, they were celebrating a championship victory over the Hamilton Honey Badgers.
Nearly two years later, Hamilton spoiled the Rattlers’ return to Saskatoon with a narrow 73-71 victory Monday night. The abbreviated 2020 Canadian Elite Basketball League season was played in a bubble in St. Catharines, Ont.
The Rattlers have now had issues scoring in back-to-back games to open the 2021 season, averaging just 72.5 points per game during their 0-2 start.
Despite the early struggles, head coach Chad Jacobson is keeping his squad optimistic.
“This is another opportunity to learn, another opportunity to grow,” Jacobson said. “The nature of this league is you just don’t have time to hang your head and feel sorry for yourself. We have a game on Thursday, (so) we’ve got to forget about this one.”
Saskatchewan’s game on Canada Day comes on the road against the 1-0 Fraser Valley Bandits. The Rattlers dropped their season opener to the Bandits 92-74 last Saturday.