Adam Friesen wins his Canada West post season debut as Cascades head coach
Saskatoon, SK…..The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades men’s basketball team defeated the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, defending Prairie Division regular season champions, 83-64, tonight in Saskatoon, SK, in game one of the best of three Canada West quarterfinal.
The Cascades came out shooting tonight and quickly jumped out to a nine point lead in the first quarter before the hometown Huskies roared back to tie the game midway through the first quarter, at 18 each. UFV continued to keep pace with the high powered Huskie offense as they shot an impressive 45 percent from the floor led by fifth year veteran Sam Freeman, Coquitlam, BC with 15 points, including three long range bombs. Kyle Grewal, Surrey, BC had his playoff face on tonight as he added 12 halftime points and 4 rebounds. Kevon Parchment, Toronto, Ontario playing in his first ever Canada West post season game, scored 7 points and pulled down 4 boards, while playing the entire half. Six different Cascades scored at least two points in the half. UFV pulled down 19 rebounds and forced 8 Saskatchewan turnovers as they led by three at the break.
In the second half, UFV might have played their best half of the entire Canada West season to date. Defensively they shut Saskatchewan down holding the Huskies to 10 third quarter points while breaking the game wide open and leading by as many as 22 points in the quarter. The Cascades moved the ball around and pulled down 23 boards, 18 on defense, giving the Huskies no second opportunities to score. Offensively, Freeman, James York, Richland, Washington and Grewal were hitting long range shots to keep the lead in double digits. The Cascades shot 13 three point field goals on the night and shot an incredible 55 percent from the floor in the second half.
“We played very well tonight. The guys executed our game plan perfectly,” said coach Adam Friesen. “We have to remember it is only one game and they (Saskatchewan) will come out strong tomorrow night.”
Freeman led all scorers with a 26 point performance. Sam recorded 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals as he played a tremendous role in the victory. Grewal added 20 points, 7 boards and blocked two shots, while Parchment was one of three players to play 38 minutes, he finished with 15 points, and a team high 9 rebounds.
“Our seniors played a very determined game tonight, they know this is their last playoff run at the CIS level. They proved tonight they will play hard and give 110 percent down the stretch,” commented Friesen.
The Huskies were led by Andrew Henry with 21 points and Stephon Lamar with 19. Ben Baker pulled down 10 boards as Saskatchewan recorded 39 for the game.
The second game goes tomorrow night in Saskatoon, game time is 5pm PST.
UFV Cascades Canada West Quarterfinal Schedule
(Best 2 out of 3 series)
Men at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Friday, February 22 Cascades 83 @ Sask Huskies 64
Saturday, February 23 Cascades @ Sask Huskies 7pm CST
Sunday, February 24 Cascades @ Sask Huskies 7pm*CST
*If needed
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