This weekend the UFV men’s basketball team hosted the University of Regina Cougars on Friday, Jan. 7 and Saturday, Jan. 8. The pair of games were UFV’s last two of the regular season. Before starting the weekend, the Cascades held a nine-game winning streak.
Friday’s game saw the Cascades off to a quick start. The Cascades were able to find six points before the Cougars put a point up on the board. This came when the Cougars’ Shaquille Harris was awarded a free throw, after being fouled by Cascades’ Matt Cooley. The Cougars, however, were eventually able to catch up to the Cascades and by the time the quarter had ended, UFV only held one point more than their visitors.
After starting the second quarter 15-14 for the Cascades, both teams continued to battle to be on top. Although each team held the lead several times, both the Cascades and the Cougars would eventually score a total of 21 points in the quarter. The Cascades finished the half again with a one point lead, 36-35.
When the third quarter began, the match still seemed to be even; however, roughly halfway into the quarter, the Cougars began to take advantage of all the Cascades’ mistakes. By the time the final buzzer of the quarter had sounded, the Cascades were trailing, 67-50. Though the two teams showed great effort in the last quarter of the night, the Cascades’ 17-point deficit was too much for them to overcome. The game ended with a score of 87-70 for the Cougars.
Although the Cougars had ended the Cascades’ winning streak the following night, the Cascades came out on Saturday determined to win. Although they had a strong performance in the first half of the game, they trailed by two points. At the end of the third quarter, however, the Cascades were able to take over the lead, with a score of 59-57.
In the final quarter, the Cascades continued to have an outstanding offensive and defensive game. Out-scoring the Cougars in the final quarter, 26-17, the Cascades won their final game of the season, 85-74.
With the win against the Cougars over the weekend, the Cascades finished the regular season with a 13-7 record. This has awarded UFV the sixth place position in the Canada West division. Next Friday, the Cascades will start playoffs at home against the Winnipeg Wesmen.
Image: UFV Athletics
Photo: Vick Toor
