Friday 30 December 2011

Calgary/Canada West report from Wayne Thomas

Concordia Plays Like Top Team   The Concordia-Irvine Eagles were voted the top team in NAIA competition from all of the 114 schools across the U.S., and they looked the part on Thursday night in a swarming defensive effort as they dropped the UC Dinos 110-67. The Eagles pressure forced an amazing 34 turnovers from the shell-shocked Dinos, who shot it well enough, when they could get it safely into the offensive zone.  Tyler Fidler was the leader for Calgary once again, with 14 points and 4 rebounds, with 3 other teammates hitting double figures ... Keenan Milburn has 11 and dealt out 6 assists ... Dustin Reding had a double-double of 12 points and 11 boards ... Boris Bakovic hit 11 points and had 5 rebounds, while Josh Wolfram scored 9 and had 7 boards.  The Dinos shot 25/57 - 44 % .. while Concordia created more possessions and opportunities to score with 37/76 - 49 %. Eight Dinos played double figure minutes, including Bakovic, who was up to 21 in this, his 2nd game for Calgary after missing all of the 1st half of the season.  Marco Bellusci, 1st year red-shirt, Webber Academy in Calgary played his 1st minutes in a Dinos uniform ... he travelled with the team after it was decided to leave Matt Letkeman in Canada rather than risk any health issues for him in the U.S.  The Dinos finish their California games with a contest on Friday vs. Biola U. Eagles in La Mirada, just SE of Los Angeles. Live Stats and Video are available, with a start time of 8:30 PM , Calgary time.
Winnipeg Wesmen Coca-Cola Classic - Thursday
Consolation Semi-Finals
UNBC 70 Minot State 52 ... Four UNBC players scored in double digits led by Joel Rybachuk's 15 points. Sam Raphael added 13. Kevan Madsen and Jose Araujo finished with 10.
Manitoba 91 Keyano College 79 ... Fourth year guard Xavier Smith led the way with 19 points for UM, followed by Kurtis Sansregret with 14, Tanner Draward and Yigit Ozsayiner had 12 each. The Bisons play UNBC in the Consolation Final Friday.
Championship Semi-Finals
Valley City State 93 Winnipeg 85 OT ... The teams were tied at 81-81 after regulation time forcing the extra period where the Vikings outscored Winnipeg 12-4. 4th year forward Eric Zimmerman led the Wesmen with a game high 27 points ... Travis Krahn and Andrew Cunningham each finished with 17.
Brandon 69 UBC-O 40 ... Emerick Ravier led the Bocats with 14 pts as Brandon had control of the contest , leading 35-15 at halftime. Yassine Ghomari led the Heat with a game high 20 points. Brandon will face Valley City State for the championship on Friday.

Other CIS action - Thurs.
In California ...UVic 64 Biola 60 ... 1st win for a Canada West school this Christmas season ... up 13 at the half, the Vikes held on for the win ...Terrell Evans and Reese Pribilsky led with 12 apiece. UVic had a big edge in foul shots ... 25/32 - 78%, while Biola was 12/19 - 63%.  U. Calif. - Merced 88 UBC 79 ... Nathan Yu scored 18 for the T-Birds in the loss ... Doug Plumb had 13, and Balraj Bains 10.  In Las Vegas ...Cal Baptist 73 Lethbridge 61

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