Scheduled Game: @Fraser Valley* (AESC)

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GAME RESULTS 1 2 3 4 T Trinity Western 7 16 29 20 72 Fraser Valley 19 15 27 27 88 « FINAL

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Game Recap

MEN’S BASKETBALL (CANADA WEST)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2012
TRINITY WESTERN (72) AT FRASER VALLEY (88)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPARTANS FALL TO CASCADES
    
ABBOTSFORD, British Columbia – Rebounding and foul shots proved to be the difference as the Trinity Western University men’s basketball team fell 88-72 to the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades Saturday night at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre in Abbotsford, B.C. The win improves the Cascades to 10-5, while the loss drops the Spartans to 8-7.

“Fraser Valley is a good defensive team and they took us out of our rhythm on offense. We have been playing some weaker teams and have been able to get away with poor execution. But we know that it is something that we have to work on and get cleaned up,” commented TWU head coach Scott Allen. “They also attacked us off the dribble and forced us into fouling situations. We lost on the free throw line and on offensive rebounding, which were two of our keys. But we had more shots and a higher shooting percentage and other than the first quarter we played them even for most of the game.”

The home town Cascades dominated the free throw line on the Spartans. UFV would get over a third of their points from the line as they finished 32-37, While TWU would finish the night 7-13. The Cascades also held the advantage in rebounding as they ended the night pulling down 10 more boards, 39-29, then the Spartans.

After a poor first quarter, which had TWU trailing 19-7, the Spartans got things going in the second and third frames. TWU outscored the Cascades 45-42 in the two quarters and were strong for the majority of the second half as they finished the final 20 minutes shooting 62.5 percent from the field, but it was not enough to overcome the double-digit deficit that was opened up in the first quarter.

After falling behind by as many as 19points, 46-27, in the third quarter, TWU was able to rally in the final minutes of the quarter to cut the lead to seven points, 59-52 and eventually enter the final frame tailing 61-52. But it was as close as TWU would get as UFV held off the Spartans in the final quarter to secure the 16 point victory.

Calvin Westbrook with 21 points and Tristan Smith with 12 points and six assists led the Spartans, while Joel Friesen with 24 points and eight rebounds and Kyle Grewal with 17 points and five rebounds led the Cascades.

Next up for the Spartans is a three game home stand to finish the CW conference season. TWU will host Thompson Rivers Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 then finish the season with a rematch with the Cascades on Feb. 9. Next up for the Cascades is a pair of home games against the UBC Thunderbirds.

Game Notes: Tonight’s game was the first CIS men’s basketball game to be played at the AESC. The “Battle of the Valley” will continue with future hopes of filling the 7,000 seat arena…the Spartans and the Cascades met last year in the Canada West quarter finals, with the CIS silver medalist Spartans earning a 2-1 series victory and the Langley Events Centre…the loss snaps the Spartans winning streak at six games…TWU trailed 34-23 at the half …the Spartans were once again without leading scorer Kyle Coston, who is out with an injury…

-TW-

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