UBC 91 Saskatchewan 60
Huskies-Thunderbirds Game Stats
by Ben Schach, UBC Sports Info
VANCOUVER - Josh Whyte scored 18 points and had 10 rebounds in 23 minutes as the reigning CIS player of the year led the UBC Thunderbirds to a 91-60 win over the Saskatchewan Huskies in a re-match of last year's CIS national final at War Memorial Gym.
Whyte was one of seven T-Birds to score eight or more points, as the T-Birds used their depth and up tempo style to unsettle the Huskies. Saskatchewan shot just 24-of-80 (30.0%) from the field including 2-of-22 (9.1%) from three-point land.
Nathan Yu added 14 off the bench for UBC. Starters Alex Murphy and Doug Plumb also hit double figures for UBC with 11 and 10 points each. The T-Birds were a combined 31-of-71 (45.1%) from the floor but really had their stroke going from long range making 12-of-24 (50.0%) three-point attempts.
Michael Lieffers notched a double-double for the visitors with 11 points and a game-high 17 rebounds while fellow starter Nolan Brudehl chipped in 11 points and seven boards. Saskatchewan, however, lacked scoring from their second unit with only 14 bench points compared to 37 for UBC.
UBC Athletics
Trinity Western 116 Lethbridge 79
Spartans-Pronghorns Game Stats
by Eoin Colquhoun, U of Lethbridge Sports Info
LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Pronghorns were never able to regain their composure after what would turn out to be the perfect storm of an opening quarter. The poor first quarter start for the Horns, combined with the hot shooting Trinity Westerns Spartans, set the stage for a 116-79 loss in the Pronghorns’ Canada West conference opener.
Saying the Spartans opened the game on fire would be an understatement, putting up an astonishing 40 points in the opening quarter. The Spartans were 13 for 20 from the field including 5 – three pointers. Before the Horns would even have a chance to regroup, the were down by 28 points after 10 minutes.
Jacob Doerkson led all scorers with 28 points for the Spartans, on 11 of 13 shooting. Tyrell Mara and Kyle Coston chipped in with 23 and 18 respectively. For the Horns Randy Davis led the way with 23 points, while newcomer Zach Humphrey scored 19 in his Horns debut.
The Horns have 24 hours to regroup and try to enact some revenge on the Spartans tomorrow night at the 1st Choice Savings Centre to complete the weekend series. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
uleth.ca/horns
Victoria 68 Calgary 58
Dinos-Vikes Game Stats
by Mike Tucker, UVic Sports Info
VICTORIA - The new-look UVic Vikes men's basketball team opened conference play with a 68-58 victory over the Calgary Dinos.
With new home white uniforms, five new faces and a new Princeton-style offence, the Vikes offered fresh perspectives in Friday's impressive win before a capacity crowd at McKinnon Gym.
Four UVic scorers reached double figures, led by a 16-point output from Jeff Cullen. It was Cullen's three-ball at the end of the third quarter that yielded a seven-point cushion, and allowed the defence to close out the win.
Marco Dolectti added 13 points, with eight coming from the line, and Zac Andrus and Ryan MacKinnon finishing with 10 apiece. The Vikes also owned a 49-24 advantage on the glass, and six UVic players had five or more 'boards.
Calgary's Andrew McGuiness led all scorers with 19 points. Tyler Fidler posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, but was quieted in the second half after toasting the Vikes for 11 points before the break.
The rematch takes place in McKinnon Gym on Saturday with a 7 p.m. tip-off. The game can be watched live at govikesgo.com/broadcast.
Vikes Athletics
Manitoba 108 Winnipeg 88
Wesmen-Bisons Game Stats
by Thomas Shirtliffe, U of Manitoba Sports Info Assistant
WINNIPEG - The University of Manitoba Bisons men’s basketball team got their season off to a roaring start on October 22, taking on the University of Winnipeg Wesmen in a upbeat and high scoring affair that saw them win 108-88 at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.
The Bisons cruised to their 20 point victory with Keith Omoerah and Richard Reimer pleasing the crowd with some big, two handed slams. Manitoba was led by Garcia who scored 20 points and added 7 assists. Reimer and Josh Ogden added 16 points each with Reimer bringing down 15 boards for the double-double.
Manitoba plays next week on October 29 when they visit Fraser Valley. The University of Winnipeg don’t play until November 5 when they welcome the University of Calgary Dinos to town.
GoBisons.ca
Brandon 77 Thompson Rivers 75
WolfPack-Bobcats Game Stats
by Larry Read, TRU Sports Info
BRANDON, MB - A heartb-reaking way to open the season. That’s what the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s basketball team experienced as they opened the 2010-11 Canada West campaign on the road in Brandon on Friday.
The WolfPack lost to the hometown Bobcats 77-75. The winning basket was scored on a layup at the buzzer.
The WolfPack led 48-33 at the break. Compounding that fact was that the Canada West Defensive Player of the Year, Greg Stewart (5th year, post, Kamloops, BC) was only able to play 17 minutes after getting into foul trouble.
The two teams play again on Saturday night in Brandon.
The WolfPack have their home opener Friday October 29 th at the Tournament Capital Center when the Alberta Golden Bears arrive in town. Tip off is 8:00 p.m. Pacific.
brandonu.ca/athletics