Cascades fall to Hope UI, 59-57, in exhibition play.

December 29, 2010 By David Kent
Men's Basketball

The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades men’s basketball team traveled to Los Angeles, California to participate in three exhibition games over the Holiday Break. Their first stop was against Hope International, Fullerton, CA. The Cascades fell to Hope IU Royals, 59-57. The Cascades will face Biola University and Asuza Pacific University before returning to Abbotsford, BC. All three schools participate in the NAIA.

Playing NAIA rules (two halves instead of FIBA’s four quarters) the Cascades showed no rust from turkey and the break as they jumped out to a quick double digit lead and held a 13-point lead at the intermission, 37-24.

In the second half, Hope UI came alive and slowly chipped away at the Cascades’ big lead. The Royals did not tie the game until 51 seconds remaining on a pair of free throws. UFV marched down the court looking for the game winning bucket, but Zeon Gray, Los Angeles, CA jumper fell short and Hope UI wasted no time in converting the winning basket with five seconds remaining on the clock.

Gray led the Cascades with 15 points, 5 assists and 3 steals. Sam Freeman, Coquitlam, BC added 13-points and Joel Friesen, Abbotsford, BC 12-points in the loss to Hope. Josh Kufske, Abbotsford, BC and James Elliott, Perth Western Australia each pulled down 8 total rebounds as UFV recorded 50 total rebounds in the game.

UFV 37 20 = 57

Hope 24 35 = 59

Top Scorers:

UFV: Gray 15 points/ Hope: Orlando Collins 13 points

Team Rebounds:

UFV: 17+33=50/ Hope: 10+27=37