KAMLOOPS - Trinity Western dropped the first of a two game road series against Thompson Rivers, with a final score of 70-51.

It was a very difficult shooting night for the Spartans, putting up their lowest point total of the season. After a good start, leading the wolfpack in the first quarter, the shooting woes began to arrive, putting up nine points in the second quarter. The Spartans cut the deficit to single digits in the third, but couldn't quite erase it entirely.

David Mutabazi (Delta, B.C.) had a team high 13 points, and also dished out seven assists. Marcus Shankar (Campbell River, B.C.) chipped in 10 points, on 4/10 shooting. For the Wolfpack, Jayden Stephens led the way with a game high 22 points, and rookie Cason Scott had 18 points himself.

NOTABLES

• Trinity Western came out strong defensively, holding TRU to just 29.2% shooting while dominating the defensive glass with 35 boards.

• The Spartans built an early 9–0 lead and controlled stretches of the first half, leading for over 13 minutes before TRU's surge.

• TWU moved the ball well, finishing with 13 assists and generating consistent looks inside, where they outscored TRU 30–10 in the paint.

• Their perimeter defense forced TRU into 28 missed threes, but second-chance opportunities (15 TRU offensive rebounds) shifted momentum late.

• Despite a tough shooting night and a 23–14 turnover disadvantage, the Spartans competed with grit in key moments, staying within reach until the final quarter.

UP NEXT

The Spartans are back at it again tomorrow evening against the Wolfpack. Game time at the Tournament Capital Centre is set for 6 p.m. (PT) and can be seen live on Canada West TV.

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 women's and men's disc golf. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 14 U SPORTS team championships and 34 Canada West team championships.

About Trinity Western University

Recognized for quality, TWU has received seven consecutive A+ rankings for Quality of Teaching and Learning, holds three Canada Research Chairs, and wins national championships in CIS sports. More importantly, lives are changed at TWU through its whole-person, Christ-centred approach to education. With a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree-completion programs, TWU equips leaders of character and competence to make a positive impact in the lives of others.  

-TW-