Scheduled Game: Point Loma @ San Diego Tour

88

GAME RESULTS 1 2 T Trinity-Western 45 43 88 Point Loma Nazarene 50 46 96 « FINAL

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Game Recap

Men's Basketball (San Diego Tour)
Saturday, December 27, 2008
TWU Spartans (88) at Point Loma Nazarene University Sea Lions (96)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPARTANS HIT SCHOOL THREE-POINT RECORD IN LOSS

SAN DIEGO - The Trinity Western University men's basketball team shot a program best 60 percent from the three point line, 12-20, in the Spartans entertaining contest with Point Loma Nazarene University. But turnover, rebounding and a strong finish proved to be the difference as the Sea Lions defeated the visiting Spartans 96-88 Saturday afternoon in San Diego.

The Spartans hot shooting gave TWU a chance to win the game, but they gave PLNU too many shots as TWU dropped their opening game of their two game swing through San Diego. The Spartans finished the game with 20 turnovers to the Sea Lions seven, while being outrebounded 16 to nine on the offensive boards, which resulted in PLNU being able to take 16 more shots, 67-51 then TWU.

The Spartans did not have a strong first half, as they trailed the for the majority of the 20 minutes and if not for the exceptional three point shooting by Brian Banman (Kelowna, B.C.) 3-5 with 15 first half points and Matt Myers (Tumwater, Wash.) 3-4 with nine first half points, TWU's deficit would have been greater than five points 50-45.

After finishing the first half with three points, TWU forward Jacob Doerksen (Abbotsford, B.C.) got things going in the second half. Behind the third year forward, who led all scorers with 20 points, TWU rallied from seven points down, 52-45 to take the lead 59-58 with 16 minutes remaining in the game. The Spartans previous lead was 8-7 early in the first half.

For the next 12 minutes the teams battled back and forth for control of the game. Then with the two teams tied at 84-84, and with less than three minutes remaining, the Spartans couldn't buy a bucket. The Sea Lions were able to close out the game with a 12-4 run by hitting their foul shots, 8-10, and making the most of four TWU turnovers.

Doerksen finished with 20 points, six rebounds and three assists, while teammates Brian Banman with 18 point, five rebounds and three assists, Louis Hurd (Spokane, Wash.) with 15 points, four assists and two rebounds and Matt Myers with 12 points and five rebounds were also strong in the TWU loss. The Sea Lions had a balanced attack with six players hitting double digits in scoring. Leading the way were Curtis Carlson with 19 points and 11 rebounds, Noble'D Shelton with 17 points, Rhett Beal with 16 points and five rebounds and Brandon Johnson with 15 points.

The Sea Lions' Beal, Carlson and Greg Murray hit an amazing 21 of their 23 foul shots to give PLNU a 10 point edge from the foul line. The Sea Lions finished at 78.9 percent (30-38), while the Spartans finished at 62.5 percent (20-32).

Next up for the Spartans is the San Diego Christian College Hawks. Game time at SDCC on Monday Dec. 29 is set for 7:30 p.m. TWU will then return home for Canada West conference action on Fri. Jan. 2 when they will host the University of Regina Cougars at 8 p.m. and on Sat. Jan. 3 when they will host the Brandon University Bobcats at 7 p.m.

Game Notes: TWU's second leading scorer Jamie Vaughan (Chilliwack, B.C.) seemed to have a target on his back as he picked up two fouls in 45 seconds to start the game and had three by half time while only playing one minute. The fifth year forward, who is averaging 15.5 points per game finished with three points and three rebounds in eight minutes...the Spartans are currently averaging 35.5 percent from the three point line in Canada West conference play...TWU's previous team record for three point shooting was 54.5 percent when they went 12-22 in a 102-96 win over Thompson Rivers University last Jan. 12 at TWU...

-TW-

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