WOLFPACK LOSE HEARTBREAKER TO SFU

For Immediate Release: November 12, 2008

Kamloops BC—The Simon Fraser University Clan Men’s Basketball team proved that it’s not what you wear on the court, its how you perform on it.   The Clan forgot their game uniforms as they made their way to Kamloops to play the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack.   Unfortunately for the ‘Pack, they didn’t forget their game.  Playing in their practice fatigues,  the Clan pulled out an 87-77 victory.
The score wasn’t indicative of the play. The decision could have gone either way until the dying minutes.

“We came out a little bit flat in the first half, “ said WolfPack coach Thom Gillespie.  “It’s a bit of disadvantage playing a midweek game. Our guys were in class and dealing with midterms, and then they had to come and compete. It kind of gets you out of your rhythm. I thought we overcame that in the second quarter.   We had some pretty good energy and knotted the game up. The third quarter was pretty solid.  We had a couple of bad breaks in the fourth quarter and battled  our way back.  But, they made the free throw shots to pull it out.”

The teams were tied at 43 at the half.  The WolfPack led by one—63-62 at three quarter time.
The Clan were led by Matt Zuzminski.  The 4 th year guard from Nanaimo, BC had 25 points in the contest to lead SFU. He had 15 of them in the first half.   Greg Wallis (5 th year, forward, Victoria, BC) chipped in with 15 points.

For  TRU: Drew Bleth (4 th year, Ridgefield, Wa) had 19 points one ahead of forward Jeff Friesen (4 th year, Duncan, BC).
“ We gave up 21 offensive rebounds and had only 20 on defence. That’s a true energy stat, “said Gillespie.  “Sometimes when you lose momentum late in the game, it’s hard to get it back.  Certainly disappointed with the end result but not with our competitive spirit.”

The Clan are now 3 and 3 and meet up with the University of the Fraser Valley on Saturday (Nov 15).  The WolfPack (2-4)  entertain Trinity Western on Saturday.