Scheduled Game: Colorado State @ WRCA

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GAME RESULTS 1 2 3 4 T Colorda State 20 20 22 21 83 Trinity Western 26 19 28 22 95 « FINAL

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Game Recap

Men's Basketball (NCAA Pre-Season)
Monday, September 01, 2008
TWU Spartans (95) vs. Colorado State University Rams (83)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPARTANS GET FIRST NCAA WIN
-TWU tops Colorado State 95-83 for first win against Div. I school.

WHITE ROCK, British Columbia - Trinity Western University's men's basketball rookie head coach Scott Allen returned to his former stomping grounds, White Rock Christian Academy, to record a milestone for the Spartans men's basketball program. Allen, who had an impressive prep coaching career with the Warriors, still had some of the magic from the old venue as TWU defeated Colorado State University 95-83 Monday morning in South Surrey, B.C. The victory is Allen's first win as a CIS coach and the Spartans first win over an NCAA Div. I school.

"To beat a team the level of Colorado [State] is a good sign for what we are capable of in the future. But more importantly it is nice to get the win for the guys because they have worked hard and they deserved to get the win," commented Allen on the historic victory. "Right now I'm just the cruise director on this ship, seeing them win and seeing them happy is the most important thing."

Guard Brian Banman (5th year, Kelowna, B.C.), with six straight points, helped the Spartans to their best start of the early season as they jumped out to a 13-4 lead four minutes into the contest. The Rams gathered themselves as the quarter progressed but TWU still led 26-20 after 10 minutes. CSU cut into the TWU lead slightly in the second quarter closing to with-in five points, 45-40 at the half.

Matt Myers (2nd year, guard, Tumwater, Wash.) hit a three to extend the Spartans lead to 13 points, 56-43 four minutes into the third quarter as the Spartans looked to break open the game. But the Rams charged back, outscoring TWU 8-2 to trail by seven 58-51 with just over 15 minutes remaining in the game. It would be as close as the Rams would get to an enthusiastic Spartan squad.

The next 12 minutes was all TWU. The Spartans controlled both ends of the floor and after a Lance Verhoeff (3rd year, forward, Calgary) jumper in the lane TWU had gone on a 30-17 run to take a 20 point lead 88-68 with 2:30 remaining. "Lance's intensity is getting better every game right now. He understands what we want as coaches and how hard we want him to play. The work that has put in to be able to score with either hand has been very valuable to his game," commented Allen on the third year forward's performance.

Colorado State outscored TWU 15-7 down the stretch as they tried valiantly to overcome the deficit.

The Spartans had four players hit double digits in scoring. Forward Jacob Doerksen (3rd year, Abbotsford, B.C.) led the way with 33 points and seven rebounds followed by Jamie Vaughan (5th year, forward, Chilliwack, B.C.) with 17 points, on an impressive 7-10 from the field, Verhoeff with 13 points, seven rebounds and Banman with 11 points and six assists.

"The guys are getting comfortable with each other and are starting to buy into what we want them to do on the floor, " said Allen. "They are a very unselfish group and they don't care who scores as long as the team does well. They are starting to realize that everybody's value is the same and as a coach that is very satisfying to see."

CSU guard Jesse Carr (Ainsworth, Neb.) with 19 points and guard Josh Simmons (Houston) and forward Andy Ogide (Dallas, Ga.) with 13 points each led the Rams. The Rams (2-1) defeated Simon Fraser University 94-66 Sunday night and the University of the Fraser Valley 98-64 on Saturday night.

Allen now gets a chance to catch his breath as the Spartans have a bit of a break before they have to suit up again. TWU's next game is on Sept. 25 when they will scrimmage at Columbia Bible College. Their next non-conference match-up is on Oct. 10 when they will host Wilfred Laurier at TWU.

Game Notes: TWU had the edge in shooting in every category. TWU shot 50% (36-72) from the field, 36% (9-25) from behind the arc and 73.7% (14-19) from the foul line, while CSU finished at 37% (26-70), 19% (5-26) and 65% (26-40) respectively....the Spartans also outrebounded the Rams 51-41...Allen is 1-2 on the season and against NCAA Div. I competition, while the Spartans are now 1-18 lifetime against Div. I schools...In the three NCAA games this weekend Doerksen has averaged 31.6 points per game, scoring 26 points, 36 points and 33 points respectively. His previous career high for a game was 28 points, which he set in Victoria's 86-73 win over Fraser Valley on Nov. 24, 06...

-TW-

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