Scheduled Game: BRANDON*

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GAME RESULTS 1 2 3 4 T Brandon 8 23 20 24 75 Trinity Western 12 17 31 22 82 « FINAL

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Game Recap

Men's Basketball (Canada West)
Saturday, January 03, 2009
TWU Spartans (82) vs. the University of Brandon Bobcats (75)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THIRD QUARTER SURGE LIFTS SPARTANS OVER BOBCATS

LANGLEY, British Columbia - Jacob Doerksen (Abbotsford, B.C.) and Jamie Vaughan (Chilliwack, B.C.) each contributed double-doubles as the Trinity Western University men's basketball team scored 53 second half points to defeat Brandon University 82-75 Friday night at TWU's David E. Enarson Gym.

Doerksen finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Vaughan had 20 points and 12 rebounds as TWU won their fifth straight Canada West conference game to improve to 8-5. The Brandon loss drops the Bobcats to 4-8 on the season.

The game started at a frantic pace, with each team struggling to take care of the basketball. Brandon and TWU combined for a total of 13 turnovers as the two squads struggled to get quality scoring opportunities in the first ten minutes, which ended with the Spartans holding a 12-8 lead.

The second quarter saw each team settle down and get into a grove on the offensive end of the floor. The Bobcats ended up having the better chances in the quarter as they outscored the Spartans 23-17 to take a two point, 31-29 half time lead.

The third quarter proved to be the turning point of the game. TWU was able to take care of the basketball for the entire ten minutes. As a result of only committing one turnover to Brandon's four, while outrebounding the Bobcats 14-4 TWU was able to outscore Brandon 31-20 to take a 60-51 lead to start the fourth quarter.

TWU built the lead to 12 points, 63-51, after a Jason Keegstra (Kelowna, B.C.) three point basket to open the final quarter. But the Bobcats did not fade away. Paced by the three point shooting of Tarik Tokar the Bobcats cut the Spartans lead to three points, 69-66, with under five minutes remaining in the contest. The teams exchanged baskets over the next three minutes and with less than two minutes remaining the Spartans still clung to the three point lead, 76-73. Doerksen made it a five point contest when he put back amiss by Vaughan. Brandon had a chance gain ground, but they missed back to back shots and with less than 30 seconds remaining were forced to foul the Spartans. TWU made their foul shots down the stretch as the Spartans hung on for the seven point victory, 82-75.

Also contributing to the Spartan win were Keegstra with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists and Lance Verhoeff (Calgary) with 13 points and six rebounds. While the Bobcats were led by Tokar with 25 points and Rejean Chabot and Dany Charlery with 19 points each.

Next up for the Spartans is the University of British Columbia on Thur. Jan. 8. Game time at TWU against the Thunderbirds is set for 8 p.m. Next up for the Bobcats is the University of Winnipeg on Thur. Jan. 8 when Brandon will travel to Winnipeg for an 8 p.m. tip-off.

Game Notes: TWU out-rebounded Brandon 49-23, with an impressive 22-11 advantage on the offensive glass...TWU shot 48 percent (28-58) from the field, 30.8 percent (4-13) from the three point line and 71 percent (22-31) from the foul line, while Brandon shot 38 percent (23-60), 40 percent (10-25) and 86 percent (19-22) respectively...after a number of high turnover games, TWU withstood the Brandon pressure and only committed 19 turnovers with only six in the second half, while the Bobcats committed 14 turnovers...

-TW-

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