Scheduled Game: FRASER VALLEY*

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GAME RESULTS 1 2 3 4 T Fraser Valley 17 16 25 24 82 Trinity Western 15 27 22 25 89 « FINAL

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Game Recap

Men's Basketball (Canada West)
Friday, November 28, 2008
TWU Spartans (89) vs. the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades (82)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPARTANS TOP CASCADES

LANGLEY, British Columbia - The Trinity Western University men's basketball team used a lot of inside and a lot of outside to defeat the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades 89-82 Friday night at TWU's David E. Enarson Gym.

Led by forward Jacob Doerksen (Abbotsford, B.C.) with 27points and 16 rebounds and guard Louis Hurd (Spokane, Wash.) with 18 points on 4-8 from the three point line, the Spartans were able to out-rebound the Cascades 43-29 and hit an outstanding 47.8 percent (11-23) from the three point line to improve to 5-5 on the season. The Cascades stayed with the Spartans by shooting well from the field themselves, 46.6 percent (27-58), but they did not have enough possessions to stay with the TWU as UFV fell to 6-5 with the loss.

"We had nice balanced scoring tonight," commented TWU head coach Scott Allen. "Our focus was to get the ball inside first and then find the open people so it is good to see everyone contribute, because we know Jacob is going to get lots of attention."

The Cascades had a strong start to the game as they led 17-15 at the end of the first period. The Spartans had their best ten minutes in the second quarter. TWU outscored UFV 27-16 to take a nine point lead, 42-33, into the break.

The Spartans looked like they were going to put the game away to start the third quarter as they built a 12 point lead, 47-35 by scoring five points in the first minute. But the Cascades kept scrapping and three minutes later had cut the TWU lead to four points, 49-45 by going on a 10-2 run. The remainder of the quarter had the Spartans trying to extend their lead to only have the Cascades fight back to stay in the contest. The final frame would start with the Spartans holding a slim six point lead, 64-58.

The fourth quarter once again saw TWU build an 11 point lead, 73-62, after a Hurd three point shot with 6:37 remaining. But the Cascades Sam Freeman (Burnaby, B.C.) kept Fraser Valley in the contest. The first year guard scored eight of the teams first 11 points as UFV cut the deficit to four points, 73-69 with five minutes remaining. It would be as close as the Cascades would get as the Spartans once again extended their lead to 12 points, 89-77 with 40 seconds remaining. UFV hit five straight points after TWU emptied their bench to make the final 89-82.

"Basketball is a huge game of runs and you have to learn as you mature on how to finish a team off. That is where we need to improve," Allen commented on how UFV was able to stay close to TWU. "We don't really have a true natural point guard on our team, so were all learning on how to control the flow once we get up. Our plan is to get the ball inside so as we improve this will happen more consistently."

Forward Jamie Vaughan (Chilliwack, B.C.) with 18 points and eight rebounds and guard Brian Banman (Kelowna, B.C.) with nine second half points also had strong games for the Spartans. Freeman with 20 points and six assists, Tristan Smith (Gardena, Calf.) with 19 points and six assists and Gurjote Jhaj (Richmond, B.C.) with 19 points led the Cascades.

TWU started the season 1-4 but have won four of their last five to get back to .500. Fraser Valley started the season winning five of six, but have since dropped four of five.

The two teams will finish off the first semester tomorrow night at TWU. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Game Notes: Doerksen's 16 rebounds ties for fourth most in TWU history. Former Spartan Logan Kitteringham holds the record with 19 set Feb 13, 03 against SFU... at this weekend's games TWU is accepting donations to the Langley Food Bank. Individuals are encouraged to bring a non-perishable item or items on the Langley Food Banks wish list to the weekend's contests...

-TW-

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