Scheduled Game: @British Columbia*

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GAME RESULTS 1 2 3 T Trinity Western 50 33 7 90 « FINAL UBC Thunderbirds 46 37 5 88

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Game Recap

Men's Basketball (League)
Saturday, January 26, 2002
TWU Spartans (90) at the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (88) OT

Spartans Gut Out OT Win

Vancouver, British Columbia - Fourteen minutes into their game with the University of British Columbia it looked like the Trinity Western University men's basketball team was looking at another tough road loss. The Thunderbirds were playing well and making their baskets and the Spartans were turning the ball over - 10 times. But where it mattered was on the scoreboard and the 'Birds had built a comfortable 14 points lead, 37-23.

But its been said, "It's not how you start, but how you finish." These were words that the Spartans could take to heart tonight. Even thought they stumbled out of the gate they got their game together when it counted and pulled out a thrilling come from behind 90-88 OT victory.

In the final 6 minutes of the first half the Spartans went on a 27-9 run to turn a 14 point deficit into a 4 point half time lead, 50-46.

Trinity Western continued their solid play throughout most of the second half and had built a lead to as many as 7 points. But tonight's game was destined to be close. The Spartans had a 4 point lead, 81-77 with :54 seconds remaining and could have put the game away. But poor foul shooting in the final 20 seconds of regulation (2-4) cost the Spartans and allowed the Thunderbirds a chance for last second heroics.

With time running out and the Thunderbirds down two, UBC's Corey Ogilvie was in the right place at the right time. He found himself open on the baseline and was able to rebound a desperation air ball by teammate Kyle Russell and hit a basket as the buzzer sounded to tie the game at 83-83.

In the overtime period TWU's defense stepped up and forced the Thunderbirds into going 1-6 (16%) from the field in the final 5 minutes. With 1:48 remaining UBC took an 88-87 lead off of a Corey Ogilvie jumper, it would be the last basket for the 'Birds. Forty seconds later Brad Unger nailed a game winning 3 point shot to give the Spartans the 90-88 lead. Kyle Russell had another desperation shot at the buzzer, but this time UBC's luck had run out.

Brad Unger (4th yr, guard, Winnipeg, MB) had a season high 23 points to lead the Spartans, while teammate David Martens (3rd yr, guard, Abbotsford, BC) was one rebound and 4 assists shy of a triple-double (16 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists). Kyle Russell led the Thunderbirds with 31 points and 9 rebounds.

The win moves the Spartans to 3-13 in Canada West, while the loss drops the Thunderbirds to 10-6.

Next up for the Spartans is their final home game of the season against the University of Victoria on February 1 & 2. Game time at TWU is set for 8:00 PM on both nights.

Game Notes:
After going 8-11 (72.7%) from the 3-point line in the first 20 minutes, UBC only managed 2-18 (11.1%) in the final 25 minutes... The Spartans broke out of Friday's shooting slump (34%) by going 18-32 (56.3%) in the first half.

-TW-

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