WINNIPEG, British Columbia – The hometown Winnipeg Wesmen used a strong team shooting performance to defeat the visiting Trinity Western University Spartans 85-68 in the Wesmen's home opener Friday evening in the Dr. David F. Anderson Gymnasium in Winnipeg.

Winnipeg led from start to finish in recording their second win of the season to improve their record to 2-3. The Spartans with the loss remain winless at 0-5.  

"We had a total letdown on defence in the first half. We gave up way too many easy paint shots and we're not able to keep them in front of us," commented TWU head coach Aaron Muhic. "However in the second half we played a lot better. Lucas Mannes and Dean Richie led us in scoring by talking it to the rim and Kelvin Smith did a really good job attacking the hoop as well and ended up with the double-double. I'm proud of how he competed. We will come to play tomorrow night. Our guys have way too much character and toughness not to."

The Spartans were led by third year guard Lucas Mannes (Chilliwack, B.C.) with 19 points. Third year guard Dean Richey (Spokane, Wash.) added 17, while fifth year forward Kelvin Smith (Los Angeles) added a double-double 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Winnipeg's Denzel Lynch-Blair had his best game of the season finishing with a game high 24 points. Third year post Ryan Oirbans added 17 points and a team high eight rebounds. First year guard William Sesay added 13 points while Jamar Farley added 11, with three-three pointers.

Winnipeg was in control of the contest early on leading 28-15 after the opening quarter and continued their solid play in the second quarter, outscoring the Spartans 22-17 to carry a 50-32 lead into the halftime break.

The Wesmen were on fire in the opening half connecting on 19-of-35 (54 percent) from the field and draining six-three pointers.

The Spartans came out of the halftime break and put a dent into the Wesmen lead, outscoring Winnipeg 20-15 to trail 65-52 after three quarters. Winnipeg put an end to any hopes of a comeback by the Spartans in the fourth quarter and went on to the 85-68 victory.

The two teams will play the second game of the weekend series Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on Canadawest.tv.

-TW-