WOLFPACK MBB LOSE FINAL GAME OF 2008-09
(Greg Stewart was the top scorer for TRU)
For immediate Release: February 7, 2009
Victoria BC: The Canada West men’s basketball season ended the way it began for the Thompson Rivers Univesity WolfPack: with a loss. The WolfPack had a strong second half, but it wasn’t enough to counteract a shaky opening two quarters. TRU lost to the hometown University of Victoria Vikes 82-56.
Victoria led 49-17 at half time.
“We were awful in the first half,” said WolfPack head coach Thom Gillespie honestly. “We were outworked and had no finish. But we played better in the second half. In fact, we won it. But it was too little too late. You can’t play well half of the time and expect to get a victory.”
Greg Stewart (3rd year, forward, Kamloops, BC) had 18 points and 13 rebounds. Matt Pierce (3rd year, guard, Winnipeg, Man) had 11 points.
For Mitch Gudgeon and Tyler Hass the contest was the final regular season home game of their illustrious five-year careers. Gudgeon (5th year, forward, Victoria, BC) led all scorers with 18 points and provided two early highlights on a pair of two-handed jams. He also grabbed 11 rebounds. Hass (5 th year, forward, Victoria, BC) only played 21 minutes and scored three points.
Gudgeon and Hass were recognized in a special senior night celebration prior to tip-off. The frontcourt duo came to the Vikes in 2004, part of Victoria head coach Craig Beaucamp's inaugural recruiting class. The two played an instrumental role in the Vikes turnaround, which included a Canada West title in 2004 and two National Championship appearances. Both finished with 1,000-plus points during the careers.
The Vikes bench provided 39 points, led by 11 points from Cyril Indome (4th year, guard, Winnipeg, Man) and 10 points from Jeff Spoor (3rd year, guard, Saanichton, BC) . Every player who dressed scored and the Vikes shot a collective 52 percent from the floor. U Vic’s bench outscored TRU’s 39-26.
By holding Thompson Rivers to 56 points the Vikes secured their standing as the Canada West's best defence for a fifth straight year. The Vikes have yielded an average of just 65.5 points per game. Victoria finishes the year at 17-6 and plays Trinity Western in the first round of the playoffs.
Thompson Rivers finishes the season at 2-21.
“We are looking forward to a little time off,” said Gillespie. “Then its on to preparing for next season.”
With a chance to recruit, Gillespie will be able to put his own stamp on the WolfPack for the future.
(with help the University of Victoria Sports Information Department)