Abbotsford, BC….The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades were defeated by the Eastern Washington University Eagles (NCAA), 84-79, in a very entertaining preseason exhibition game at the Envision Athletic Centre. The Cascades preseason record stands at 0-2 against NCAA schools with one more tilt against an NCAA school in mid-October at the TRU Wolfpack tournament.
The Eagles came out flying and quickly built up a double digit lead with a pair of six point runs in the first quarter. The Cascades would score the final four points of the quarter to pull within 10 points. In the second quarter, UFV ‘s defense started to give the Eagles fits and UFV came alive with an eight point run to narrow their NCAA opponents lead to a mere four points before EWU would score the final six points to bring the halftime deficit back to 10.
The Cascades Jordan Blackman, Abbotsford, BC led all scorers at the intermission with 14 points. Venky Jois, Boronia, Australia led all EWU players with 13 points.
In the second half, UFV’s defense came alive and shut down the Eagles offense. The Cascades survived a quick six point run by EWU to start the half and kept knocking the lead down until Blackman hit a key basket with time running out in the third to cut the deficit to one point, 59-58. The Cascades matched EWU basket for basket to start the final quarter, after the Eagles built up an eight point lead midway through the fourth quarter, UFV hit two straight three-point baskets by Nathan Kendall, Abbotsford, BC and Manny Dulay, Surrey, BC to pull UFV within one point at 75-74 with two minutes remaining. The final two minutes belonged to EWU as they went on 9-3 run with key baskets by Thomas Reuter, Breckerfeld, Germany and Justin Crosgile, Paterson, New Jersey to hold onto the five point victory over UFV.
The Cascades Jordan Blackman had a monster of a game scoring a team high 30 points. “I felt great out there tonight. I have been working hard and all my shots went in tonight,” said the second year guard. Blackman’s coach Adam Friesen echoed his star player’s feelings, “Jordan showed great leadership tonight. With three starters not dressed he stepped up and played a great game,” said Friesen.
Dulay added 12 points and Andy Khaira, Vancouver, BC 11 points and a team high 6 total rebounds. The Eagles were led by Jois with 18 points.
“I am very happy with tonight’s game,” said Friesen. “With only four full practices under our belts we played well and showed improved from our first game two weeks ago.”
The Cascades next preseason game is the annual Alumni Game set for Saturday, September 29th at the EAC, game time is 7:30PM.
EWU 24 21 14 25 = 84
UFV 14 21 23 21 = 79
Top Scorers:
EWU: Jois 18 points/ UFV: Blackman 30 points
Team Rebounds:
EWU: 13+25=38/ UFV: 15+20=35
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