Scheduled Game: BRITISH COLUMBIA*

83

GAME RESULTS 1 2 T UBC Thunderbirds 24 59 83 TWU Spartans 42 49 91 « FINAL

91

Game Recap

Men's Basketball (conference game)
Saturday, February 7, 2004
TWU Spartans (91) vs the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (83)

Historic

Langley, British Columbia - They knew it was a big game so the Trinity Western University men's basketball team went out and set three school records in the thrilling 91-83 victory over the visiting University of British Columbia. After dropping last night's contest, tonight's match was do or die for the Spartans. So the Spartans set school CIS records for three point percentage (70%), Free throws made (34) and Free throws attempted (48).

The victory, combined with SFU's win over Victoria, means that the Spartans once again hold destiny in their own hands. Although a playoff spot has yet to be secured, one more win means the Spartans are in the post season, with the outside possibility of gaining first place in the Pacific Division.

The way the game started it looked like it was going to be an easy night on the hearts of the Spartan Faithful. TWU dominated the Thunderbirds for the first ten minutes as they surged to a 20-3 lead. UBC responded to close the gap to 7-points, 23-16 three minutes later. But the Spartans caught fire and went on a 19-8 run to end the half with a 42-24 lead.

...then the second half started.

UBC came out charged, and six minutes into the half had cut the once 18 point Spartan lead down to five with a 28-15 run. From that point on it was edge of your seat basketball.

The Spartans would almost get control of the game with eight minutes remaining as they built a 9-point lead, 65-56, but the Thunderbirds would not go away. Three minutes later it was a one-point game with the Spartans up 70-69.

After a jumper by TWU's Adam Friesen and free throw's by UBC's Craig Rollins, TWU's David Bron (2nd yr, forward, Surrey, BC) stepped up with a clean jumper to push the lead to three-points, 74-71. UBC's point guard Karlo Villanueva cut the deficit to one, 74-73, with a short range jumper, right before the Spartans' Andy VanderMeulen (3rd yr, post, Bellingham, WA) clutched two free throws to push the lead back to three with 2:41 remaining.

Bron came through again with two more free throws to extend the TWU lead to five, 78-73. He pulled down a missed shot by UBC's Pat Sponaski, which led to a Brian Banman (2nd yr, guard, Kelowna, BC) three, to give the Spartans an eight point lead, 81-73 with two minutes remaining.

The Banman jumper would prove to be the "nail" as UBC was forced to foul to get the ball back and cut into the Spartan lead. Despite fouling a number of UBC three point shooters, the Spartans made their free throws down the stretch as they sealed the eight point win.

Always dependable Logan Kitteringham (4th yr, forward, Walnut Grove, BC) led the Spartans with 17 points and 12 rebounds, with teammate Dan Young (4th yr, forward, Abbotsford, BC) adding 20 points and 4 rebounds. UBC was led by Casey Archibald with 24 points.

The Spartans will now travel to Burnaby Mountain to take on the Simon Fraser Clan. Game time on Friday, February 13 is set for 7:45 pm with Saturday, February 14 set for 6:30 pm.

Game Notes: The Spartans 91 point game was the tenth highest score in their CIS history... The magic number of the playoffs is now one. A TWU win or Victoria loss puts TWU in...The magic number for first place is two - Two TWU wins next week at SFU, as the Spartans hold the tie breakers with UBC and SFU...Husky Energy Spartan Player of the Game was David Bron with 10 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 1 assist on 4-4 FG shooting and 2-2 from the line....

-TW-

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