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Sports

SFU out-lasts WolfPack in weekend basketball series

Joseph Otoo - Omega Contributor

The Simon Fraser University Clan sauntered into the TCC and outscored, out-rebounded and maybe even had more fans in the bleachers than the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack.

Friday night the #1 ranked Clanswomen (15-0) continued their ascent to a perfect season defeating the pack 49-88. The WolfPack were within three points after the first quarter, coach Scott Reeves commented after he was happy with his team’s start. “They did battle, the first quarter was great. If they didn't hit that three at the buzzer, we'd have gone in tied, which is good against a team that's number one in the country, against a team that's not number one in the country.”

Laurelle Weigl led a deep SFU attack with 20 points. None of the Pack were able to break double digits on Friday; Jen Ju and Kaitlyn Widsten led the way with eight points each.

The TRU men’s team went blow for blow with the SFU Clansmen until Clan forward Matt Kuzminski hit a heartbreaking three-pointer with a 1:17 left in the game. The Clan outlasted the pack 73-79 in an up-tempo game with several lead changes.

Greg Stewart, a man with more double-doubles than Tim Horton’s, had a game-high 22 points. The Clan had four players in double figures; Kuzminski led the way with 16 points.

Saturday night there was an air of optimism, possibly from the magic of the thunder-sticks that invaded the Tournament Capital Centre. Unfortunately, The Pack were once again were demoted to cubs.

The women’s team fell 47-81 to SFU. Robyn Buna had a team-high 16 points to lead a balanced SFU squad. Kaitlyn (The Menu) Widsten had a game high 22 points, shooting a sizzling 69 per cent. After Saturday’s win, SFU now has won 54 games straight, but 12th year Clan coach Bruce Langford still found something to complain about “Our goal this year was to be better defensively and we've better overall in points against. We've been very, very good defensively through quarters, but not through whole games,” he said.

The WolfPack men’s team saluted three graduating players prior to Saturday’s rematch vs. SFU. Sean Garvey, Drew Bleth and Jeff Friesen were given thunderstick-aided ovations by the TCC faithful before tip-off. The good vibes carried over, TRU led by 10 at half time. The Clan outscored the pack by 26 points in the latter half en route to a 74-91 final. Garvey waved goodbye by scoring a game high 23 points in his finale. Matt Kuzminski and Sean Burke added 21 points each; SFU also had four players in double figures. Outside the locker room, Sean Garvey sounded content after his last night wearing the orange and black. “I played three good quarters, overall, I was happy with it. I wish we could have come out with the win.”

A fun season of WolfPack basketball is over. I’m going to miss Sean Garvey’s many facial expressions.