Saturday 16 February 2008

Canada West: Bears draw first blood vs. Huskies; Vic wins

Alberta 82, Saskatchewan 74; Bears lead Best-of-3 Central Division semi-final 1-0 The Golden Bears hit four consecutive 3's at the beginning of the fourth quarter including a pair by 6'1" C.G. Morrison to take the lead for good and survived a late Huskies comeback attempt to take the first game of the series in what was an entertaining game in Edmonton. Alberta dominated the glass including 3 offensive rebounds that led directly to three 3's in the early fourth-quarter flurry. 6'7" Andrew Spagrud was virtually unstoppable inside for Saskatchewan with 36 points and 10 rebounds and led a late surge that got the Huskies back to within 2 at 74-72 with about 2 1/2 minutes remaining but then both teams struggled offensively until Alberta's 6'2" Alex Steele hit the final dagger, a deep three with virtually no time left on the shot clock and only 1:01 remaining in the game to give the Bears a five point lead and clinch the win. Alberta jumped out to a 17-4 lead off the start of the game but the Huskies hung in behind Spagrud, who gave Alberta fits all night regardless of whether the Bears doubled him or played zone. Saskatchewan got the game back to within 5 by halftime and then took off on 14-2 run to start the second half to lead by 7 in the third quarter. The Huskies led by 3 after three quarters before the Bears gapped them with the flurry of threes early in the fourth. Steele led Alberta with 23 points, 15 coming in the first half while 6'4" Andrew Parker had several big 3's as part of his 17 point effort. The teams go at it again tomorrow night in Edmonton.

Victoria 82, Simon Fraser 69 Vikes lead Best-of-3 Pacific Division semi-final 1-0 6'7" Mitch Gudgeon had 25 points and 10 rebounds as the Vikes finished the first half on an 8-1 run to lead by 10 at the break and then quickly extended their lead in the second half, leading by as many as 20 and never allowing the Clan to come back closer than 8 points in winning at home. 6'6" Tyler Hass added 18 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists while 6'8" Greg Wallis led the Clan with 18 points and 7 boards.

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