WINNIPEG – Trinity Western suffered an upset at the hands of Calgary on Friday, falling 78-72 to Calgary at Investors Group Athletic Centre on Friday.
TWU nearly erased a 17-point deficit, but the Dinos were able to reinstate their lead in the fourth quarter.
The Spartans were led by double-double performances from
Mason Bourcier (Kelowna, B.C.) and
David Mutabazi (Delta, B.C.). Bourcier and Mutabazi scored 14 each, with Bourcier dishing 11 dimes, and Mutabazi grabbing 10 boards. Bourcier and Mutabazi were joined at 14 points by
Austin Galuppo (Los Angeles, CA), who shot 5-10 from the field in the loss.
For the Dinos, it was Jeffrey Tezo's night to shine. Tezo scored 21 points in the victory as double-doubles from both Mason Foreman (11 PTS, 12 REB) and Spencer Roberts (14 PTS, 16 REB) rounded off a strong night for Calgary.
Connor Platz (Langley, B.C.) was a strong force on the defensive end yet again. As the newfound record-holder for single-season blocks in Canada West, Platz swatted five more shots in 28 minutes of work.
AS IT HAPPENED
Neither team could find their rhythm in the first quarter (Calgary: 21.1 FG%, TWU: 2-16 FG%), ending the frame at a 9-8 line favouring Calgary.
12 second-quarter points from Ezeoha Santiago led the Dinos to a 29-17 advantage in the quarter, wrapping the first half up at 38-25.
The Spartans clawed back with a 21-12 advantage in the third quarter, riding Galuppo's 11 points in the frame.
The final quarter saw Calgary narrowly edge past the Spartans, 28-26, wrapping up the match at a 78-72 loss to end TWU's season.
QUOTABLE
Trevor Pridie - TWU Head Coach
"The guys played great and really battled. Calgary is a very talented team and we came out of the gate and couldn't find an offensive rhythm and dug ourselves into a hole. We got good looks but they just weren't dropping early. Defensively we were great and I'm so proud of the effort. We have such a great group of guys and I love battling with them.
"Austin was fantastic for us and really showed what he can do. Mason played 40 minutes and left it all on the court and was our leader, as he always is. Mason will go down as one of the greatest Spartans and has done some amazing things in his two seasons with us. David battled with a sprained ankle and did everything he could. Goertzen was incredible for us and played with toughness and urgency. Tre played maybe his best all around game for us tonight.
"Obviously we're disappointed going out early. I wanted so much more for these guys. Calgary is a very good team and deserves the credit tonight."
NOTABLE
- The Spartans are 11-20 all-time against Calgary, winning two of their last three against the Dinos. TWU defeated the Dinos 102-92 in Canada West's round of 16 in last year's conference playoffs (Mar. 4, 2022).
- TWU came into the match at the No. 7 seed in Canada West (12-8) as the Dinos entered at the No. 10 spot (11-9).
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 and varsity disc golf. 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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