In what could best be described as a ''playoff type atmosphere" the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack dropped an 82-73 decision to the University of Fraser Valley Cascades in Canada West men's basketball play on Saturday (Feb 1).

Before a crowd of nearly 800, the WolfPack honored their alumni and paid homage to their fifth year players as they dropped their fourth in a row. Still, Thompson Rivers (11-7) had already secured a playoff spot and they led 22-18 after the first quarter.

Fraser Valley notched their ninth straight victory (12-6) and have also secured a post season berth.  They were led offensively by  Daniel Adediran (4^th year, guard, Surrey, BC) with 21 points. Sukhjot Bains (5^th year, guard, Delta, BC) added 20. Parm Bains (5^th year, guard, Surrey, BC) contributed 12 points while Matt Cooley (5^th year, forward, Coquitlam, BC) chipped in with 10.

Micheal Rouault (5^th year, guard, Vernon, BC) led the TRU offensive with 25 points and added 12 rebounds. Anton Bilous (5^th year, guard, Cerkassy, Ukraine) added 15 points while Joe Davis (5^th year, forward, Kamloops, BC) contributed 11 points.

This was the end of Alumni Weekend where former players with the Cariboo College Chiefs, University College of the Cariboo Sun Demons and the WolfPack were honored.

Before the game, the WolfPack paid tribute to their four fifth year players: Davis, Rouault, Bilous and Kyrin Cybenko (Saskatoon, SK). UFV's three fifth years; Parm Baines, Cooley and Sukhjot Bains were also recognized.

For the second straight night, The WolfPack were without forward Rojhae Colbert (3^rd year, Phoenix, AZ) who suffered a lower body injury in practice earlier in the week.
 
 SYNOPSIS

The fifth year players always get a little more 'up' for their last home game and Davis didn't disappoint. His spinarama layup 10 seconds in gave TRU the early lead. Then it was Bilous' turn.  His deuce two minutes in gave the Pack a 6-2 advantage. Fraser Valley cut the deficit to 1 (6-5) when one of their fifth year's Sukhjot Baines drained a three four minutes into the first quarter. Rouault got TRU up 9-5 when his drive to the basket drew a foul with four and a half minutes eclipsed in the period.  Cybenko hit the scoresheet with 4:40 left on a fadeaway in the paint to give TRU a 13-11 advantage.  Rouault and Davis each had seven points in the opening period to lead the Pack attack.

 Adediran  was red hot for the Cascades in the first quarter. His three pointer with 3 left in the period gave their first lead (18-17).  He had nine points in the period to lead UFV but it was TRU who led 22-18

The second quarter was an up-tempo game, which suited UFV who took a three point lead  (30-27) early. The teams traded basket with the WolfPack deadlocking things at 38 with two and a half minutes left when Rouault went to the basket and missed only to have Bilous follow right up and cram it in. for his eighth point of the contest.   Fraser Valley led at the half 45-40 lead by Sukhjot Bains with 12 points. Parm Baines added 10.  TRU's main gunner was Rouault with 14 while Bilous added 10.  TRU had eight points from turnovers in the first half compared to UFV's four and their bench outscored the Cascades 5-4.

Davis opened the third quarter using his physicality to get to the basket and cut the UFV lead to three (45-42). Sukhjot Baines countered with a three after TRU had tied it up to maintain the Cascades advantage. Rouaults fade away layup with 7:20 gone in the quarter tied things up at 49 which was followed by a bucket courtesy of Davis to give TRU the lead (51-49).  Davis with 11 at that point of the contest with Rouault checking in with 18 at that point.  With 1:15 left, Brendan Sullivan (2^nd  year, guard, Mill Bay, BC) drained a three pointer to put TRU up on top.  The teams were tied though at 56 at the end of the quarter.

The see saw battle continued in the final period.  Sukhojt Bains drained a three with less than four minutes remaining to give UFV a 73-69 lead. Baines with 18 at that point.
The WolfPack scored 18 points from turnovers in the contest in comparison to 10 for UFV. The Pack's bench out scored UFV's 18-17. Fraser Valley's biggest lead was nine (82-73) while TRU's was five (56-51). The Pack's biggest scoring run was seven while the Cascades biggest was 11.   TRU had 14 second chance points to UFV's 11.
 
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:
https://youtu.be/HbEUb0-qGDc



THEY SAID IT! (post game quotes):


TRU Head Coach Scott Clark (10^th season):
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1223854963303968768  
 
TRU forward Joe Davis (5^th year, Kamloops, BC):
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1223854234849796097 
 
TRU guard Micheal Rouault (5^th year, Vernon, BC):
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1223854205682638848 
 
TRU guard Anton Bilous (5^th year,  Cerkassy, Ukraine):
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1223854148468109313 
 
TRU forward Kyrin Cybenko (5^th year, Saskatoon, SK):
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1223854170089783297 
 
Cascades head coach Adam Friesen (8 th season):
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1223854710945284096


UP NEXT:

 The teams will both wrap up their respective 2019-20 Canada West regular seasons next weekend (Feb 7-8).  Thompson Rivers will be on the road in Lethbridge, Alberta to meet the Pronghorns.  Fraser Valley will conclude their season at home against the University of Regina Cougars.

Those games will be webcast on a pay-per-view basis on Canada West TV presented by Co-op by accessing: https://cw.yaretv.com/.  
Results will be available on the WolfPack social media platforms and their website  www.goWolfPack.ca.