SFU men’s basketball fail to pick up second conference win

By Bryan Scott

The Simon Fraser men’s basketball team were in action last week for their second last game of the season. They were in last place heading in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference heading into their game against the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks.

These two teams battled it out for the entire game. There were a total of 10 lead changes (five for each team), and the game was tied six times.

After the Nanooks went out to a four-point lead, the Clan’s Anto Olah, and Matt Raivio hit consecutive three-pointers to give SFU a 6–4 lead.

Over the next 10 minutes of the half, both teams sunk some great shots and found themselves tied at 24 with 5:29 to play. SFU was great in the paint in the first half, getting 14 points to the Nanooks’ eight. Ibrahim Appiah hit two clutch free throws with one second on the clock to give the Clan a one-point, 36–35 lead at halftime.

It was the Nanooks who came out firing to start the second half, regaining the lead just 19 seconds in. They maintained the lead for the next seven minutes, matching SFU bucket for bucket. SFU tied the game at 46 with just over 12 minutes remaining in the game.

SFU went on an 11–4 run after that to take the lead, 57–50, with seven minutes left. Unfortunately, the Clan could not keep the lead, and earn their second conference win of the season.

UAF finished the game outscoring SFU 13–4 to finish the half, and pulled out a comeback, 63–61 victory.

Despite the loss, SFU had some shining moments. They went perfect from the free throw line, and nailed half of their shots from behind the arc.

Olah and Appiah both registered double-doubles for the Clan. Olah had 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Appiah logged 10 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort.

SFU finished off their regular season last Saturday against the first-place Western Washington Vikings.