The University of the Fraser Valley men’s basketball team maintained its undefeated record with a pair of victories on the road vs. Thompson Rivers University on the weekend.
The Cascades won 83-73 on Friday and 75-68 on Saturday to improve to 6-0 in Canada West regular-season action. They own a three-game lead in the Explorers Division, with TRU among three teams tied for second at 3-3.
The first win of the weekend was a blowout – UFV raced out to an 18-point lead in the first half and cruised to victory from there, as six players scored in double figures. Kevon Parchment led the way with 18 points, while Kadeem Willis (14), Manny Dulay (14), Dominique Brooks (13), Nate Brown (12) and Vijay Dhillon (10) also contributed offensively.
Saturday was more of a grind, as the Cascades never held a lead larger than seven points, and they trailed by as many as nine points in the third quarter. But a determined defensive effort and flawless offensive execution late in the fourth quarter powered them to victory. Parchment set the pace once again, scoring 17 points while playing the entire 40 minutes, and all three of the Cascades’ post players notched double-doubles: Brown (12 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks), Willis (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Jasper Moedt (10 points, 12 boards).
“We got high-percentage shots for most of the game, we thought, but we couldn’t put shots together,” Cascades head coach Adam Friesen said afterward. “Those days happen, particularly on the road. But defensively, we gave ourselves a chance to stay in the game.”
Women’s hoopsters drop two to WolfPack
Sarah Wierks had an exceptional weekend for the Cascades women’s basketball team, but UFV nevertheless suffered their first two losses of the regular season.
The TRU WolfPack prevailed by scores of 69-58 on Friday and 72-70 on Saturday to overtake the Cascades for first place in the Explorers Division. TRU is 5-1, while UFV falls to 4-2.
Fifth-year centre Wierks racked up 27 points and 20 rebounds in the opener, but the WolfPack pulled away in the second half and won by double digits.
Wierks poured in 25 points and hauled down 18 rebounds in the second game of the weekend, and the Cascades were in the mix right down to the wire. But TRU’s Michelle Bos hit a long two-point jump shot with 26 seconds left in regulation to give her team a 72-70 lead, and the WolfPack survived three-point attempts by Shayna Litman and Katie Brink in the dying seconds.
“Just an outstanding effort for Sarah,” Cascades head coach Al Tuchscherer said. “She elevated her game knowing we were playing an elite team this weekend. It’s really good to see that from our fifth-year leader.”
Home games this week
The Cascades basketball teams wrap up their first-semester schedules at home next weekend vs. the MacEwan Griffins. Games are Friday (some 6 pm, men 8 pm) and Saturday (women 5 pm, men 7 pm) at the Envision Athletic Centre.
For more information, contact Dan Kinvig at dan.kinvig@ufv.ca
11/28/2014