WINNIPEG – Connor Platz (Langley, B.C.) finished with an impressive 18 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks to lead the Trinity Western Spartans to a solid 80-66 win over the Winnipeg Wesmen Friday night at the Duckworth Centre in Winnipeg. The victory improves the Spartans' record to 12-7, while the loss drops the Wesmen to 14-5.
 
The Spartans were the stronger team from the start as they led 20-12 after the first quarter and 34-27 at the half. TWU expanded their lead to 60-48 after a 26-point third quarter before earning the 14-point win.
 
In addition to Platz, the Spartans had strong games from Auston Galuppo (Los Angeles, Calf.) with 17 points, and David Mutabazi (Delta, B.C.) with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. Donald Stewart with 17 points, and seven rebounds, Mikhail Mikhailov with 16 points, and 12 rebounds, and Malachi Alexander and Alberto Gordo with 11 points each led the Wesmen.

QUOTABLE
Trevor Pridie – TWU Head Coach
"Tonight was a great team win for us. We moved the ball well offensively, which translated to us playing together on the defensive end. We played with toughness and grit defensively. Holding the 10th ranked team in U SPORTS to 30 percent shooting from field was a defensive team effort and what we will need going into playoffs." 
 
"It was nice to see Austin hit some timely shots and have a great night and play like we know he can. David and Connor were fantastic and showed up big on the boards." 
 
NOTABLE
• With his four blocked shots, Platz now had 51 blocks on the season, a TWU record. The Canada West record is 56 (Myron Dean, MB,08-09, Greg Stewart, TRU, 10-11). Platz is currently averaging 2.68 blocks per game. The current CW record is 2.65 (Brett Layton, MRU,15-16).
• TWU is 14-15 lifetime against Winnipeg.
• The Spartans shot 42.9 percent (30-70) from the field, 40 percent (12-30) from the three-point line and 66.7 percent (8-12) from the foul line. While the Wesmen shot 30.8 percent (24-78), 24.2 percent (8-33), and 76.9 percent (10-13) respectively.
• The Spartans had a 51-42 edge in rebounds.
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans will finish the Canada West season tomorrow night in Winnipeg against the Wesmen. The game can be seen live on Canadawest.tv. Canada West play-offs will begin next weekend with the Spartans' opponent and location to be determined.
 
About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 13 U SPORTS team championships and 32 Canada West team championships.
 
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