Scheduled Game: MANITOBA*

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GAME RESULTS 1 2 T Manitoba Bisons 32 33 65 TWU Spartans 30 36 66 « FINAL

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Game Recap

Men's Basketball (Conference game)
Friday, January 21, 2005
TWU Spartans (66) vs. the University of Manitoba Bisons (65)

It Ain't Over Til It's Over

Langley, British Columbia - With neither team shooting the ball consistently well in Friday night's matchup between the TWU Spartans and the visiting University of Manitoba Bisons, a last second three by Trinity Western's Steve Janzen (5th yr, forward, Burnaby, BC) proved to be the winning basket in the low-scoring 66-65 contest.

The Spartans fought their way back after being down seven points with three minutes remaining, riding the efforts of Donald Burton (2nd yr, guard, Surrey, BC) and Adam Friesen (4th yr, guard, Abbotsford, BC), who combined for eight points in two minutes to cut the Bisons' lead to two, 65-63.

Following a TWU timeout, Manitoba's Tim Perschick had the opportunity to extend his team's lead to a potentially game-ending four points, but missed both free throws with 30 seconds remaining. On the final miss Michael Brouwer (1st yr, forward, Nanaimo, BC) snatched the rebound and sent the outlet to Friesen, who drove hard up court and into the key before dishing to the far right corner to an open Steve Janzen. With a Manitoba defender diving at him too late, Janzen nailed the three to give the Spartans their first lead since the nine minute mark of the second half.

Manitoba called timeout to draw up the final play, but the Spartans' trapping defense forced the Bisons' Perschick to put up an off-balance leaner that rolled harmlessly off the rim at the buzzer.

"We gutted out a critical win tonight, and hit shots at the moments we had to hit them," said TWU Head Coach Stan Peters. "Adam brought great energy tonight that was critical for us, and Donald played really solid off the bench, especially down the stretch. It was nice to see a senior hit a three to win the game."

TWU is now 2-3 in the New Year and improves to 5-8 overall, while Manitoba falls to 3-10. Both teams are in a battle with division rivals for the final playoff spot, but SFU defeated Winnipeg tonight to remain tied for third spot in the Pacific Division with Trinity Western, while the visitors' losses keep Winnipeg tied with Manitoba for third spot in the Great Plains Division.

The Spartans will now face Winnipeg on Saturday night, January 22nd at David E. Enarson Gymnasium at 8:00pm. The game will be broadcast live on TWU's Spartan Web Radio, www.twu.ca/athletics.

"We have to take care of our home games now," commented Coach Peters. "It's absolutely critical."

TWU's Friesen had a game-high 22 points (7-13) to go with six rebounds and four assists, while Manitoba's Tim Pershick led the Bisons with 17 points (7-13) and eight rebounds.

Game Notes: Logan Kitteringham (5th yr, forward, Langley, BC) finished with a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 14 boards...Manitoba's Tarik Tokar led all scorers with 14 points in the first half, but scored only one in the second...Janzen's lone three-pointer of the game (1-5) was the game-winner...You can relive the game on TWU's Spartan Web radio archives at www.gospartans.ca

-TW-

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