The SFU Clan Men’s Basketball team were defeated 86–66 by the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves on Saturday night in front of a strong crowd of Clan-faithfuls. Offensively, the Clan executed quite well, connecting on 49 percent of their field goal attempts and sinking seven of their 15 three-point attempts. The loss though, marked their 18th consecutive loss.
However, SFU’s defensive struggles continued, as they allowed the Seawolves to connect on 50 percent of their field goal attempts, and committed 31 fouls, which resulted in an astonishing 39 free throw attempts by Alaska-Anchorage. This was essentially the ball game, as the Seawolves connected on 32 of 39 attempts, while the Clan made only 11 of their 18. Starting Guard Max Barkeley’s performance was particularly indicative of the Clan’s overall performance.
At a key point in the first half, with SFU trailing 25–20, Barkeley received a technical foul, his fourth of the game while on the bench. The Clan was gaining some momentum prior to this lapse in judgment after a Tyrell Lewin basket was followed by a long three-point make by Hidde Vos. Oshea Gairey and Bowen Bakken then made key defensive plays which were followed by the technical foul.
SFU would rally back with a 6–0 run to close the quarter, highlighted by a Gibran Sewani offensive rebound and put back. The play was followed by an incredible steal by Freshman Oshea Gairey, who sprinted the length of the court, connected on the layup while being fouled, and made the ensuing free throw with just 2.7 seconds left on the clock.
The second half saw Alaska-Anchorage slowly stretch the lead to 10 with 9:11 left and then pull away. The game concluded with a steal by the Seawolves’ Sekou Wiggs on the game’s final possession, which resulted in an emphatic reverse dunk. The Clan was also undone by the play of Seawolves guard Brian McGill, who netted 34 points on just 15 field goal attempts.
Second-half SFU highlights included the bare-knuckles intense defense of Bowen Bakkan, who also made back-to-back three-point baskets. There was another dunk in the game by Redshirt Junior Gibran Sewani. His offensive rebound put back he converted into a three-point play and, a highlight-reel blocked shot on defence.
Sewani made the case for increased playing time with a very efficient offensive performance that included 16 points on seven of nine shooting. Tyrell Lewin, too, had an exciting two-play sequence where he banked in a long two to beat the shot clock and then took a charge at the other end. Oshea Gairey who finished with 12 points and six assists continued to demonstrate toughness and perseverance with several fine plays in the second half.
