Scheduled Game: SIMON FRASER*

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GAME RESULTS 1 2 T Simon Fraser 33 37 70 « FINAL TWU Spartans Mens 33 28 61

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Game Recap

Men's Basketball (League)
Saturday, November 17, 2001
TWU Spartans (61) vs the Simon Fraser University Clan (70)

Four Minute Lapse Costly

Langley, British Columbia - The Trinity Western University men's basketball team matched the visiting Simon Fraser University Clan basket for basket Saturday night. Except for the first 4 minutes of the second half, which proved costly to the Spartans as they dropped their 5th Canada West league game 70-61 to the Clan.

The start of the game saw the Spartans keep pace with the #5 ranked team in the CIS. Every time the Clan tried to pull ahead the Spartans would rally and keep the Clan from running away with the game. The Spartans never let the Clan get more then a 6-point lead in the first 20 minutes, and when the buzzer sounded to end the first half the two teams remained deadlocked at 33-33.

The second half did not start well for TWU. The Spartans came out flat, while the Clan was energized and focused. Within 4:30 minutes all the efforts of the first half were gone and the Spartans found themselves trailing the visitors from Burnaby, BC, 46-36.

"We played hard the first half and 16 out of the 20 minutes in the second half. But we had that critical juncture where turnovers or missed defensive assignments hurt us, but that's part of growing up," said TWU head coach Stan Peters. "We have first and second year players that are having to play a lot of minutes and they are getting their baptism under fire."

For the next 11 minutes the Spartans tried to make a dent in the Clans lead. With 5 minutes remaining the Spartans started to gather some momentum. Two foul shots by Brad Unger (4th yr, guard, Winnipeg, MB), a steal by Brian Redekop (2nd yr, forward, Abbotsford, BC) that led to a basket by Tyler Coston over a 1-minute period had brought the Clan within range, 60-54, of a final push down the stretch.

The crowd was back in the game, momentum was moving towards TWU, and then Jordan Mason stuck a dagger in the hearts of the Spartans. SFU worked the Spartan defense for 25 seconds and then found Mason open at the top of the key. With a clear look at the hoop, Jordan quieted the crowd as he comely swished the 3-point shot to extend the Clan's lead to 9 points, 65-56 with 3:40 remaining in the game.

The Spartans tried to get back in the game, but the Clan matched the Spartans basket for basket over the final 3 ½ minutes to close out the 9 point victory.

"I am pleased with the direction that we are going, it's just painful to lose," added Peters.

Jordan Mason led the Clan with 21 points, while Tyler Coston (3rd yr, guard, Blaine, WA) paced the Spartans with 24 points and 5 rebounds.

The win keeps the Clan undefeated in Canada West play with a perfect 6-0, while the loss drops the Spartans to 1-5 in Canada West.

Next up for the Spartans is a trip to Edmonton, AB to face the University of Alberta Golden Bears on Friday and Saturday, November 23 & 24.

-TW-

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