Pronghorns Impressive in Game 1 Win

Lethbridge Pronghorns  87   at Fraser Valley Cascades   78  -   The  Lethbridge Pronghorns boldly strode into the UFV Envision Athletics Centre and repeated their stellar performance of a month and half ago in League play.   The ‘Horns fell back in the opening 15 minutes , but they came roaring back with a strong defensive effort, and some great leadership from point guard Daryl Cooper, and strong rebounding by  the front line of Dom Coward (14 pts./6 boards) and Derek  Waldner (13 pts./8 boards.

<<< U of L’s Morgan Duce had a big shooting night

This tactic seemed to wear down the Cascades in the 2nd half, and it allowed Lethbridge to play a more physical defensive style, which slowed down the UFV attack.  Lethbridge was far more effective at getting the ball inside, and in drawing fouls, and they capitalized with 27/37 (73%) to a 50% rate of 13/26 for UFV. The game was marred by a total of 50 turnovers, with 30 from Fraser Valley, as both teams employed a very aggressive defense.

Kyle Grewal   was the top scorer for UFV with 22, with Sheldon Bjorgaard adding 15 , but the usually prolific Joel Friesen could only manage 11 on just 2/11 field goals.  It is a must win now for Fraser Valley, who have had such high hopes after sweeping UBC a couple of weeks back, and getting this home court playoff.  Their problem now appears to be that Lethbridge  seems to like the UFV gym very much.  One more win and it’s on to the Final 4 for the ‘Horns, so Coach Craddock’s  Cascades will need better game Friday, if they want their season to continue.

Once again, game time is 8 pm Pacific on     Canada West TV                            BOX SCORE

Notes - 

1. •  Don’t you love some of the ‘made for media’ quotes you get from coaches at playoff time ?  Here’s an interesting spin from UFV’s Barnaby Craddock, who also taught his players the company line: "We'll relish the role of underdog," said   Craddock, looking ahead to his team's clash with the Lethbridge Pronghorns. "They really took it to us, so I guess in a way, against this team specifically, we are underdogs," UFV power forward Kyle Grewal said, echoing his coach. "They're the only team that beat us in our gym this season, and we've got to show everyone that we can play better."
   

1. • Errata -  Our reader corrects our remembrance of the CW Final 4 Championship game from last year ... it was UBC over saskatchewan 107-100, while Trinity won the 3rd place game over Alberta.  Thanks Glenn !
   

1. • More Coach Playoff - speak from Saskatchewan’s Barry Rawlyk - “They’re a group of guys who have played together for a long time,” said Rawlyk. “They’re a veteran crew. Their level of experience, and big-time experience in particular, is something of note.
   

2. •“They’re not strangers to big games, and we certainly can’t take them lightly. They’re a very good team.”
   

1. • McGill  67  Bishops  58 in the Quebec League Thursday night, as McGill takes a run at 2nd place, hoping to edge out UQAM in the final week.
   

1. • Saskatchewan hasn’t lost at home since Nov. 7, 2010, against the Fraser Valley Cascades. A 20-game home winning streak includes 10 games this season and another 10 from last season. The Huskies are 42-5 in the PAC over the past three seasons.
   

1. •  The emotion level in the Lethbridge - Fraser Valley series is at least partly due to the fact that Barnaby Craddock played for the ‘Horns, as did Dave Adams, and, although the familiarity does not lead to contempt here, it sure breeds intense feelings, and gets the competitive juices flowing on both sides.