BURNABY, B.C. – Fourth-year Trinity Western star Ja'Qualyn Gilbreath (Amarillo, Texas) was one assist shy of a triple-double, but the Spartans came up just short against NCAA Div. II Simon Fraser, falling 98-93 in exhibition action Saturday afternoon. 

Gilbreath had 30 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists to lead the Spartans in a tight battle that saw TWU hold a 93-92 lead with 1:17 to play. However, a 3-pointer from SFU's Michael Hannan with just under a minute to play gave the home side an advantage it wouldn't relinquish. Free throws down the stretch sealed the win for the Clan, who ware now 2-1 in their preseason schedule. 

Second-year Isaiah Reimer (Abbotsford, B.C.) added 21 points for the Spartans, while fifth-year Ethan DaSilva (Calgary) had a game-high 10 assists. 

After the teams were tied 47-47 at halftime, the Spartans went down by 20 points (77-57) midway through the second half, only to see a valiant comeback effort from the visitors. TWU chipped away at the Clan lead before a 3-pointer from Reimer put the Spartans briefly ahead with just over a minute to play.  

The exhibition contest came during a bye week for the Spartans, who are currently 0-4 in Canada West. 

By comparison, Saturday's result was a marked improvement for the now Trevor Pride-coached Spartans, who lost 127-75 against SFU less than a year ago (Dec. 30, 2018).

QUOTABLE
Trevor Pridie – TWU Head Coach
"I thought we played a really strong game today. That was the best team we've played so far this year and we battled hard against a good SFU team with some quality veteran talent. Yea, we're disappointed we didn't get a win, but fought back from a 20-point deficit to take a late lead and we were right there at the end. Ja'Qualyn was dominant and once again showed what he can do at this level. Overall, I thought this was a good test for us as we prepare for a very athletic team next weekend in Calgary." 

NEXT UP
The Spartans return to conference action Nov. 22-23 when they travel to play the two-time defending Canada West champion Calgary Dinos. 

About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 11 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes in the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) in men's hockey and as an independent team in men's rugby. The men's and women's hockey programs will begin playing in Canada West and U SPORTS in 2020-21. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 12 U SPORTS team championships and 27 Canada West team championships and two BCIHL championships.

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