The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades men’s basketball team defeated the University of Alberta Golden Bears, 80-69, at the Envision Athletic Centre. The Cascades improve their Canada West regular season record to 6-9, and move into sole possession of the eighth and final Canada West playoff spot. UFV sits two point up on Calgary and owes the tie breaker against the Dinos by virtue of their 14 point advantage in last weekend’s two games in Calgary.
UFV jumped to an early lead and never lost it as they led by seven points after the first quarter and kept building on their early lead. The Cascades played excellent defense all night holding the Golden Bears to 26 first half points, and only nine second quarter points as they led by nine points at the intermission.
UFV continued to play great defense in the third quarter as the Golden Bears only hit the 40 point mark on the final play of the quarter. UFV had built up an 18 point advantage after the quarter and early in the fourth led by as many as 22 points before Alberta cut into the large lead but never got any closer than a 9 point deficit to the Cascades. UFV earned an important two points as they chase one of the two final playoff spots in Canada West.
The Cascades were led by Sam Freeman, Coquitlam, BC with a game high 26 point performance. Joel Friesen, Abbotsford, BC added 23 points and as three other Cascades scored 7 points each in the victory over Alberta. James Elliott, Perth, Western Australia led all Cascades with 8 total rebounds as UFV registered 40 for the game.
“We have a few guys on our team that can really shoot the ball, and we needed it tonight. Ferguson and Baker are tough checks, and Alberta is a well coached team, and we will need to continue to have our best players step up to the challenge tomorrow night,” said UFV Head Coach Barnaby Craddock. “Sam shot the ball extremely well tonight, and did a good job at the defensive end. Joel Friesen managed to make some spectacular plays despite being under the weather.”
Alberta 17 9 15 28 = 69 (9-6)
UFV 24 11 24 21 = 80 (6-9)
Top Scorers:
Alberta: Daniel Ferguson 24 points/ UFV: Sam Freeman 26 points
Team Rebounds:
Alberta: 17+27=44 / UFV: 6+34=40
Alberta: 17+27=44 / UFV: 6+34=40
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