UFV Cascades Men’s Basketball team bring home Canada West Silver Medal
Head off to Halifax, Nova Scotia to participate in CIS “Final 8” Elite Tournament
The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades men’s basketball team earned the 2012 Canada West Silver medal tonight, the first conference medal in the school’s six year affiliation with the conference. The Cascades were defeated by the University of Alberta Golden Bears, 72-71, at the buzzer, tonight, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The Cascades head off to participate in the 2012 CIS “Final 8” men’s basketball national championship tournament sporting a 16-7 regular and post season record. The Cascades have been nationally ranked all year in the CIS top ten poll, finishing the season at a school record 4th in the country.
While playing in their first Canada West title game, the Cascades did not have game time jitters as they gave the veteran Alberta Golden Bear team all they could handle. In a game that saw 14 ties and 14 lead changes the Cascades had an opportunity to win the game as they had possession of the ball with nine seconds left and miss the final shot of the game. UFV showed not only the Canada West conference but the CIS that they can compete with any team on any given night and will be a force in Halifax next weekend.
With the game was tied after the first quarter at 21 each, the Cascades defense went to work holding the Golden Bears to 12 second quarter points and led by three at the break. UFV continued to lead early in the third quarter by as much as six points before Alberta went on a run and led by two points at the end of the quarter. The fourth quarter was as competitive as the rest of the game with Alberta taking the lead for good with under one minute remaining. The Cascades had one last opportunity to win the title but the shot fell short and Alberta wins the Stan Broder Trophy, symbolic of Canada West men’s basketball title.
“We are not happy with the silver medal this evening, as we really wanted to compete and earn the conference championship, but tonight was Alberta’s night. They had a couple guys that elevated there games and nudged us at the end.” said UFV head coach Barnaby Craddock. “Our defensive effort is keeping is in games right now, and I am happy with our effort at that end of the floor. Hopefully we can get rolling on the offensive end of the floor at nationals, and really finish of the season playing our best basketball. Both Mike James and Jasper Moedt had great games this evening, and were a big part of us having a chance to win at the end.”
The Cascades spread out their offense with four players reaching double digits. Michael James, Winnipeg, Manitoba led the way with 14 points. He was joined by forward Jasper Moedt, Abbotsford, BC and Jordan Blackman, Abbotsford, BC who scored 12 points and 10 points respectively. Kyle Grewal, Surrey, BC finished with 13 points and a team high 10 rebounds.
Uof A 21 12 21 18 = 72
UFV 21 15 16 19 = 71
UFV 21 15 16 19 = 71
For further information contact David Kent, Sports Information, 604-309-7658 david.kent@ufv.ca
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