Abbotsford, BC….The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades men’s basketball team defeated the TWU Spartans, 69-58, to improve their Canada West Pacific Division record to 10-11, with one game remaining tomorrow night in Langley, BC against the TWU Spartans. TWU’s record falls to 11-10, the winner of tomorrow night’s game will finish third in the division and loser fourth, both teams will advance to the 2013 Canada West post season playoffs.
The Spartans came out strong tonight and shot the lights out early hitting on their first four shots and taking a quick 10-2 lead over the Cascades before UFV went on a run of their own to eventually knot the score at 16 with three minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Spartans shut UFV down the rest of the quarter holding the Cascades to one point and taking a six point advantage into the second quarter. All season long the second quarter has been UFV ‘s strongest and tonight was no difference holding TWU to 9 points while opening up an eight lead on two mini runs that gave UFV the lead at the break. The Cascades shot 47 percent in the half and were led by senior Sam Freeman, Coquitlam, BC with 16 points. Freeman was the only player in double figures for either team. Kevon Parchment, Toronto, Ontario and James York, Richland, Washington each chipped in with 9 at the half. The Spartans top scorer was Tonner Jackson, White Rock, BC with 8.
The second half was close as both teams played excellent defense forcing a total of 30 turnovers in the half and keeping both offenses from getting any momentum. UFV scored key baskets during the second half to hold onto their 8 point lead which eventually grew to 11 by the game’s end. The Cascades shot 37 percent in the second half, while TWU shot 35 percent from the floor. Both teams shot 2 for 7 from three point range and one key to the Cascade victory was TWU’s free throw percentage which was only 33 in the half, they missed 8 free throws.
“Tonight’s performance was awesome, I could not be more proud of our team,” commented a beaming UFV head Coach Adam Friesen, on beating his alma mater as a head coach for the first time. “What a great way for our seniors (Freeman, Grewal & York) to finish off their final game at the EAC beating our arch rivals.” “I look forward to tomorrow’s challenge,”
Freeman led all scorers with 32 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists. Parchment added 14 points , 6 rebounds and 3 steals and Kyle Grewal, Surrey, BC scored 7 points, pulled down 7 rebounds and recorded 4 steals in his final EAC game. The Spartans were led by Jackson and Mark Perrin, Toronto, Ontario with 10 points each. Jackson led TWU with 9 total rebounds.
TWU 23 9 14 12 = 58 (11-10)
UFV 17 23 14 15 = 69 (10-11)
Saturday, February 16
UFV Cascades @ TWU Spartans (Langley Events Centre) 7pm
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