Scheduled Game: THOMPSON RIVERS*

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GAME RESULTS 1 2 3 4 T Thompson Rivers 24 14 27 18 83 Trinity Western 25 16 19 29 89 « FINAL

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Game Recap

MENS BASKETBALL (CANADA WEST)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2010
TWU SPARTANS (89) VS THE THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY WOLFPACK (83)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RECORD LONG RANGE NIGHT GETS SPARTANS PAST WOLFPACK

LANGLEY, British Columbia – The Trinity Western University men’s basketball team used a team record night from the three point line to come from behind to defeat the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack 89-83 Friday night at the Langley Events Centre in Langley, B.C.

The Spartans needed to be strong from the outside in order to counter the strong presence of 7’2” fourth year centre Greg Stewart of Kamloops, B.C. TWU went 19 for 44 from behind the arc for the game, both school records to offset Stewart’s 20 points, 16 rebounds and three blocked shots.

The game was a tight contest from start to finish and the game remained in doubt right until the final minute. The Spartans led 41-38 at the half but after a strong third quarter the WolfPack had built a seven point lead, 59-52, with three minutes remaining in the quarter. The Spartans finished the quarter trailing by five points, 65-60 and looking like a team that was about to drop the contest.

Ten seconds into the fourth quarter Stewart picked up his fourth foul and had to take a seat on the bench. Without the big man inside TWU was able to regain control of the contest. Led by Jacob Doerksen of Abbotsford, B.C. the Spartans took six minutes to go on a 22-7 run and lead the WolfPack 82-72 with four minutes remaining.

The WolfPack recovered with Stewart back in the game and Doerksen fouling out with three minutes remaining. The change in the presence of two of the most dominant post players in Canada West resulted in TRU getting themselves back in the contest. After two foul shots by Jeff Friesen of Duncan, B.C. the WolfPack only trailed by two points, 83-81.

The two teams exchanged foul shots and with 30 seconds remaining TWU had a slim three point lead, 86-83. With the Spartans needing to score to make it more than a one possession game, TWU went to Louis Hurd of Spokane, Wash. for the final shot of the possession. Hurd, who had already hit five three pointers on the game, used a high screen to get open and then with a TRU defender jumping out at him, the 5’11” guard stepped back and drilled a long three to seal the game, 89-83, for the Spartans.

The Spartans would end up finishing the quarter outscoring the WolfPack 29-18.

The must win game for the Spartans moves TWU’s record to 9-5, while the loss drops the WolfPack to 2-13. The Spartans currently sit in third spot in Canada West, one game ahead of Victoria and one and a half games ahead of Fraser Valley.

It was 20 point night for TWU and TRU as the game ended with six players hitting the 20 point mark. Doerksen finished with 23 points, Hurd finished with 22 points and Calvin Westbrook of Courtenay, B.C. finished with 20 points to lead the Spartans, while, in addition to Stewart, Sean Garvey of Kamloops, B.C. finished with 22 points and Jeff Friesen finished with 20 points to lead the WolfPack.

The two teams will be back at it again tomorrow night with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. at the LEC.

Tonight’s game was broadcast live on SpartanTV.

Game Notes: TWU shot 40.3 percent (29-72) from the field, 43.2 percent (19-44) from the three point line and 63.2  percent (12-19) from the free throw line, while Thompson Rivers shot 33.8 percent (22-65), 34.4 percent (11-32) and 77.8 percent (28-36) respectively…TRU outrebounded TWU 49-40…the Spartans previous best for three point baskets made was 16, which was reached twice, most recently against Saskatchewan on Jan. 8…TWU’s previous best for three point attempts was 40, which was set Oct. 27, 2006 against the UBC Thunderbirds…
 
-TW-

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