WINNIPEG – Trinity Western saw their late-game push fall short as the Spartans fell 72-65 to the No. 4 Winnipeg Wesmen Friday evening at the Duckworth Centre in Winnipeg. The loss drops the Spartans to 11-8, while the win improves the Wesmen to 15-4
 
The Spartans trailed 35-27 at the half and 57-42 at the end of the third quarter. TWU came out flying to start the fourth quarter. The Spartans used a 14-3 run to cut the Wesmen lead to four points, 60-56, with 5:43 remaining in the game. But, that was as close as TWU would get as Winnipeg held on for the seven-point win.
 
Jayden Gill (Abbotsford, B.C.) with 17 points, and six rebounds, Shemaiah Abatayo (Vancouver, B.C.) with 13 points, Jolene Vlieg (Leduc, Alta.) with 12 points, and six rebounds, and Hailey Van Roekel (Langley, B.C.) with 11 points led the Spartans. While Anna Kernaghan with a career-high 28 points, Raizel Guinto with 15 points, and Robyn Boulanger with 13 points led the Wesmen.
 
QUOTABLE
Cheryl Jean-Paul – TWU Head Coach
"It was a tough loss today. We had a really flat start and we faced an opponent that understands what it takes to compete until the end. Lots of good opportunities to learn from this one and looking forward to being a better version of ourselves. We had so many great looks and opportunities and some exciting runs, but it just wasn't enough to close the gap and take the lead. We just need to finish better at the rim and take care of the ball after their big moments so we'll be ready tomorrow.
 
NOTABLE
• The Spartans Nicole Fransson (Edmonton) had a tough night shooting, but she finished the night with 19 rebounds, eight points, and seven assists.
• TWU is 8-22 lifetime against Winnipeg.
• The Spartans shot 36.1 percent (26-72) from the field, 45.8 percent (11-24) from the three-point line and 40 percent (2-4) from the foul line. While the Wesmen shot 40.6 percent (26-64), 37.9 percent (11-29), and 75 percent (9-12) respectively.
• The Spartans had a 47-40 edge in rebounds.
• TWU last beat Winnipeg, 60-57, on January 4, 2019, in Langley, BC.  
 
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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