Sunday 10 October 2010

McMaster 82, Fraser Valley 73

The Marauders got out to an early 15 point lead and never fell behind but had to ward off a late Cascades rally that got the game to within three midway through the fourth quarter as Mac's freshmen were instrumental in new coach Amos Connolly's first victory as a CIS coach.  Touted 6'7" freshman Taylor Black led Mac with 17 points including a vicious slam off a fine no-look feed from another freshman, 6'0" Kyle Gierdraitis to end the first half and send Mac to halftime up 12.  6'4" sophomore Joel Freisen led the Cascades with 18 points while 6'7" James Elliott added 16 for Fraser Valley which ended the weekend 0-3.


Mac controlled the defensive glass and were able to get out in transition to grab the early lead.  The Cascades got it to four in the third and then three at 72-69 midway through the fourth but the Marauders got a pair of big threes by freshman Gierdraitis (9 points on 3-5 3's) and 5'11" Kenan Etale (15 points) to push the lead back up and Etale added the exclamation mark with a transition dunk to stretch the lead back to double digits.  Sharpshooting 6'4" forward Nathan Pelech added 14 for McMaster including 3-5 from downtown.  Mac went 13-35 3's overall.

In addition to not having the two starting forwards coach Barnaby Craddock was counting on this season, this afternoon Fraser Valley played without the services of starting 5'11" point guard Zeon Gray.

Mac again was without the services of 6'3" second year guard Victor Raso, who continues to nurse an ankle injury, and 6'8" newcomer Scott Brittain, who was banged up in practice earlier in camp and, owing to his history with multiple concussions, has been kept away from competitive action as a precaution finishing off the concussion return-to-play protocol.  Both are expected to be ready to practice again this week.

No comments: