WESMEN FALL SHORT IN SLUGFEST WITH WOLFPACK

For immediate release: November 8, 2008

Winnipeg:--The Thompson Rivers Wolfpack defeated the host Winnipeg Wesmen 99-95 in a slugfest Saturday night at the Duckworth Centre in Winnipeg.

Both teams shot the lights out on this evening. The Wolfpack finished the game with an impressive 56% shooting from the field, Winnipeg was equally impressive shooting 53% from the field.

The Wolfpack dominated the opening quarter building a 26-15 lead after the opening ten minutes of play. Winnipeg tightened up their defense in the second quarter outscoring the Wolfpack 21-20 to go into the halftime break trailing 46-36.

The third quarter was an even affair with both teams battling to get the momentum on their side but the teams matched each other basket for basket. Thompson Rivers led after three quarters 72-62.

In a wild fourth quarter that featured everything from several three pointers, technical fouls, slam dunks the Wolfpack held off the charging Wesmen down the stretch outscoring Winnipeg 33-27 in the final quarter of play.

Drew Bleth (4th year Guard, Ridgefield, Wash) led the Wolfpack with 29 points, including five three pointers. Jeff Friesen (4th year, forward, Duncan, BC) was solid finishing with 28 points and a game leading nine rebounds.  Matt Pierce (2nd year, forward, Winnipeg, Man) had 17 points.

Wesmen guard Nick Lother led all scorers with a game high 35 points, nine assists and two steals. Peter Lomuro was next with 22 points, including three-three pointers.

“This was a great road win for our boys,” said WolfPack head coach Thom Gillespie.  “We bent but we never broke”.
The victory improves the Wolfpacks record to 2-4, while the loss drops Winnipeg's record to 1-5.   The WolfPack host the SFU Clan Wednesday night at the Tournament Capital Center. Game time is 7 pm.

(with assistance from the University of Winnipeg)