Calgary, Alberta….The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades men’s basketball team defeated the Mount Royal Cougars, 80-73, tonight in the Cougars historic first ever Canada West regular season game, played at Kenyon Hall, in Calgary, Alberta.
The Cascades also made history tonight as Adam Friesen coached in his first CIS regular season game. The former TWU Spartan star is the Cascades third head coach, since UFV joined the CIS behind Pat Lee and Barnaby Craddock.
Tonight’s game was close in the first quarter as Mount Royal kept up with the CIS number four ranked Cascades and trailed UFV by only one point after the historic first quarter. The second quarter was the difference in the game as the more experienced Cascades opened up a double digit lead outscoring the Cougars by 10 points in the frame. UFV shot 40 percent from the floor in the half.
The second half was very much like the first quarter, very close and low scoring. The Cougars held UFV to 16 points in the third and 80 for the game. The Cascades had been averaging close to 90 points per game in the preseason. UFV shot 41 percent for the night.
“We are feeling fortunate to have come away with the win tonight. MRU represented themselves very well in their CW regular season debut,” commented Friesen.
Sam Freeman, Coquitlam, BC led all scorers with 28 points, 8 rebounds and one assist. Kyle Grewal, Surrey, BC added 19 points, and 5 boards while Kevon Parchment, Toronto, Ontario, playing in his first CIS game, scored 12 points. The Cascades James York, Richland, Washington recorded 10 assists to go with 10 points and 4 rebounds.
“We are well aware that we will need to execute and play at a higher level tomorrow night,” said Friesen.
UFV 22 19 16 23 = 80 (1-0)
MRU 21 9 18 25 = 73 (0-1)
Team Rebounds:
UFV: 15+26=41 / MRU: 12+28=40
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