Manny Dulay’s three-point shooting ability is feared throughout Canada West, but he showcased an underrated versatility in an 80-61 exhibition win over the Trinity Western Spartans on Friday.
The University of the Fraser Valley third-year guard was his usual potent self from beyond the arc, knocking down six of 11 attempts from downtown en route to a game-high 20 points. But Dulay, who recently shifted from shooting guard to point guard, also stuffed the stat sheet with eight assists, five rebounds and three steals.
“Manny’s ability to hit shots never surprises us,” Cascades head coach Adam Friesen said afterward. “But he’s worked hard over the summer to expand his game.”
It was the second preseason meeting in eight days between the Cascades and Spartans – last Thursday at Semiahmoo Secondary in South Surrey, UFV staged a furious rally to edge TWU 73-70.
The rematch wasn’t as close. The Cascades seized control early, building a 27-18 lead after one quarter and a 45-29 edge at halftime.
Forwards Nate Brown (18 points, seven rebounds) and Kadeem Willis (11 points, eight rebounds) came up big for the Cascades, and Dominque Brooks chipped in with 10 points.
Justin Bakuteka led the Spartans with 13 points, and Nicholas Tancon (12 points) and Tyus Allen (11) also scored in double figures.
“I thought we responded really well,” Friesen said, reflecting on his team’s resilience after a tough 57-56 defeat to the Windsor Lancers on Thursday. “Our energy and our overall focus was just better. We realized we have to be better, and tonight I think we made the first step – the first of many.”
Up next for the UFV men’s hoopsters is a trip to Vancouver Island to play the Victoria Vikes in exhibition action on Sunday. Tip-off is at 4 p.m.
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