2012 CIS Men’s Basketball “Final 8”
National Championship Tournament
Scoreboard
Cascades 83-71
UFV Cascades defeat Lakehead Thunderwolves , 83-71, advance to CIS “Final 8” Semi-Finals
UFV will play winner of Carleton-Acadia Game
The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades defeated the Lakehead University Thunderwolves, 83-71, to advance to the 2012 CIS national championship semi-finals, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Cascades playing in their first “Final 8” in the school’s six year affiliation with the CIS. The Cascades regular and post season record improves to 17-7 as they head into Saturday’s semi-final.
The Cascades came out strong and opened with a quick lead to shake any championship tournament jitters and led by three points after the first quarter. The Cascades trademark “team defence” came out right from the beginning holding the high powered Lakehead offence to 13 points in the first quarter and 29 at the break. Sheldon Bjorgaard, Abbotsford, BC led the Cascades at the half, with 9 points and Jasper Moedt, Abbotsford, BC with 5 rebounds.
The Cascades started the second half by shutting Lakehead down, the Thunderwolves only scored 5 points in the first half of the third quarter, while UFV went to work establishing a double digit lead. Bjorgaard hit three trays to have 19 points after three quarters. The Cascades never relinquished their double digit lead in the fourth quarter as they continued to shut the door on their OUA West opponents.
“Sheldon is a fantastic shooter. Small guy with a big heart. He’s the heart and soul of our program,” said head coach Barnaby Craddock of his 5-foot-10 senior, the smallest player on the court in the tourney opener. “I’m really proud of the guys. They managed to step up in the first CIS championship game. Lakehead was a very good first-round opponent and the guys pulled it off.” Craddock is now 3-1 lifetime at the CIS “Final 8” tournament.
UFV now turns its attention to winner of the second CIS quarter-final between the defending CIS national champion Carleton University Ravens (OUA East) and the new AUS champion the Acadia University Axemen. UFV has not played either school this year.
Bjorgaard led UFV with the 19 points as four different Cascades were in double figures. Kyle Grewal, Surrey, BC added 17 points and and five rebounds, Joel Friesen, Abbotsford, BC hit for 13 points and 7 rebounds and Mike James, Winnipeg, Manitoba round out the double figure club with 10 points. Moedt led UFV with 14 total rebounds as the Cascades out rebounded Lakehead, 56 to 48 for the game.
“There were definitely some nerves early on. Everybody was a little excited since this is our first time at Nationals,” said Bjorgaard, who was named player of the match for Fraser Valley. “But we settled in pretty quickly and followed the game plan. We’re used to the pressure. We had so many close games in the Canada West playoffs.”
UFV 17 17 24 25 = 83
LU 13 16 22 20 = 71
For further information on the CIS “Final 8” men’s basketball national championship tournament go to www.cis-sic.ca
Media Notes
Jasper Moedt scored the first two UFV Cascades points at the CIS “Final 8” national championship in Halifax, NS, in the first quarter.
The “Final 8” organizing committee is forwarding two action shots to me within the hour will forward to media upon receipt.
For further information on UFV Cascades athletics contact David Kent, Sports Information, 604-309-7658 david.kent@ufv.ca
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