Vancouver, BC…The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades men’s basketball team lost a thriller tonight, to the UBC Thunderbirds, 76-71, at the War Memorial Gym, in Vancouver, BC. With the lost UFV ‘s record falls to 2-3 in the Canada West Pacific Division, while UBC improves to 5-0.
The Thunderbirds, ranked number one in the CIS top ten poll, started fast and quickly built a double digit lead over the Cascades trying to avoid a third straight loss. The T-Birds led by 11 going into the second quarter, where UFV started to settle down and hold the high powered UBC offense to 17 points.
The Cascades started to show a glimpse of what was to come late in the quarter as they closed out half on a mini six point run. Sam Freeman, Coquitlam, BC led all Cascades in scoring with 14 points at the break. Kevon Parchment, Toronto, Ontario and James York, Richland, Washington each scored 7 points as the trio were responsible for most of UFV’s offense.
The Cascades shot 37 percent in the first half and committed 11 turnovers. They were outrebounded by 13 total boards in the half.
UFV continued to control the game as the second half started, veteran Kyle Grewal, Surrey, BC and second year forward Jordan Blackman, Abbotsford, BC both shutout in the first half hit several key shots each in the third quarter as the Cascades closed within eight points of UBC as the fourth quarter started. The Cascades continued to play great defense in the final frame and came within one point of UBC with one minute remaining, at 72-71. The T-Birds shut UFV down the rest of the way hitting five free throws to clinch the victory and stay undefeated.
The Cascades shooting was much better in the second half, hitting 42 percent of their shots including four trays.
Freeman led all scorers with a game high 24 points and 10 rebounds. Parchment added 19 points, the big story was UBC holding Grewal to six points and York to two second half points.
“We played well in the second half tonight. Credit UBC for their excellent play in the first half,” commented UFV head coach Adam Friesen. “Sam had an excellent game leading our team in scoring, it is great to see him back in the lineup.” This marks the third straight game that UFV has had a great second half, falling behind early and coming within a basket of tying or going ahead in the second half.
The Cascades and T-Birds go right back at it tomorrow night, at the War Memorial Gym, game time is set for 7pm.
UFV 18 15 24 14 = 71 (2-3)
UBC 29 17 19 11 = 76 (5-0)
Team Rebounds:
UFV: 9+26=35 / UBC: 21+33=54
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