The SFU Clan Men’s Basketball team lost a hard fought 89–82 decision to the Colorado Christian Cougars. The loss drops the team to 1–2 on the season.
The Clan managed to slowly build 41–33 in a tight first half, but were undone by some sloppy play and lack of execution after halftime. In the first five minutes of the second half, SFU committed four costly turnovers as well as several fouls. This led Colorado Christian to start the half with a 14–6 run to tie the game at 47. Four Clan players had at least four fouls which led to the Cougars getting easy free throw attempts as they were in the bonus for the last 8 minutes of the game.
What really impressed me about SFU’s play was their tenacity. They had tough defence and fought for every loose ball. The climax of the action was when multiple players from both teams dove and scraped for a loose ball with seven minutes remaining. This scene repeated itself with two minutes remaining which further demonstrated the team’s conviction.
The Clan were down 68–60 with six minutes remaining and managed to get within four points on a clutch three pointer by point guard Max Barkeley in the last minute; it was too late, though, to complete the comeback. Hidde Vos was the top SFU scorer with 17 points and 6 assists on 6 of 8 shooting. Vos was one of six Clan players who scored in double digits. JJ Pankratz had 12 points and 9 rebounds and five blocks, Tyrell Lewin chipped in 10 points, Barkeley had 11 points and 6 assists, Michael Harper had 13 points and 6 rebounds and Gibran Sewani had 12 points on 6 of 7 shooting in just 13 minutes of play.
Both the Clan and Cougars played their starters extensive minutes and not utilizing their full bench. The teams will play a second game this Saturday at SFU’s West Gym at 5 p.m. This is the first season for new Head Coach Virgil Hill. Coach Hill played for the Clan in the 90s under current Canadian National Team Coach and Portland Trail Blazers Assistant, Jay Triano. He finished a stint where he was the head coach of Ontario’s Laurentian University for the past seven years.
