Scheduled Game: @Thompson Rivers*

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GAME RESULTS 1 2 3 4 T Trinity Western 24 19 19 18 80 « FINAL Thompson Rivers 15 18 25 12 70

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Game Recap

Men's Basketball (Canada West)
Saturday, November 15, 2008
TWU Spartans (80) at the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack (70)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPARTANS TOP WOLFPACK

KAMLOOPS, British Columbia - Led by guard Brian Banman (Kelowna, B.C.) with 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists and forward Jamie Vaughan (Chilliwack, B.C.) with 23 points the Trinity Western University men's basketball team made it two straight wins with a 80-70 victory over the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Saturday afternoon at the Tournament Capital Centre in Kamloops, B.C.

"He was a leader today; there was no doubt about it." TWU head coach Scott Allen commented on Banman. "To get production from Brian so early in the season while we wait for him to come around is a bonus. He takes the pressure off Jamie (Vaughan) and Jacob (Doerksen) to perform as well as they do. We are building each piece one at a time. By the time we get to playoffs, we'll be looking pretty good."

The Spartans started well and quickly had the home team trailing 7-0 to start. TWU continued to carry the play through the half and led 43-33 after 20 minutes.

Thompson Rivers had a strong third quarter as they outscored TWU 25-19 to pull within four points, 62-58, with ten minutes to go in the contest.

Vaughan and Doerksen hit back-to-back shots to give TWU a 66-58 lead and some breathing room to start the fourth quarter. With six minutes to go the WolfPack closed to six points, 69-63, but were never able to get closer as the Spartans took the game 80-70.

The Spartans had 56 rebounds in the contest, 27 of them on offense compared to the WolfPacks nine offensive rebounds and 37 overall.

The Spartans leading scorer on the season forward Jacob Doerksen (Abbotsford, B.C.) finished with 17 rebounds and 15 points.

Forward Jeff Friesen (Duncan, B.C.) had 21 points and eight rebounds for the ‘Pack. Drew Bleth (Ridgefield, Wash.) had 14 points for TRU. Tyler Hartshorn (Saskatoon, Sask.) contributed 10 points.

The win moves the Spartans to 3-4, while the loss drops the WolfPack 2-6.

"They are a grinding team and they hit their shots in the third quarter which I thought was key," Spartan rookie bench boss Scott Allen reflected afterwards. "The key to the game was that we had 20 more shots than they did. It came from our offensive rebounding."

The Spartans continue their road play next weekend when the travel to Vancouver Island to take on the Vikes. Game time on Fri. Nov. 21 and Sat. Nov. 22 at the University of Victoria is set for 6 p.m. on Fri. and 5 p.m. on Sat. While the WolfPack continue their home stand next weekend against Regina and Brandon.

Game Notes: Allen thought this was a key victory. "We can't have any more losses right now,' he said. "We will have them, but we are pretty focused on trying to go the rest of the way undefeated. I know that might be a lofty goal, but we must try and aspire to that. If you are fifth or sixth you aren't in the playoffs. Fourth place, you are taking on UBC in their place. We have really focus on the little things right now. In the end, it'll all add up."

-TW-
-contributions from TRU Sports Information.

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