By Larry Read
Thompson Rivers University Sports Information Officer
KAMLOOPS, BC---Who says you can't play intense basketball in December? The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack and Alberta Golden Bears gave their fans a taste of post season basketball during the Holiday season.
The teams played to an exciting 86-79 finish as the Canada West men's basketball season goes into its Christmas break. The Golden Bears came out on top to sweep the weekend series and move to 7-3 on the year while TRU falls to 4-6.
Two players—Brody Clarke of the Bears and Mike Rouault of the WolfPack had double doubles. Clark had 30 points and 14 assists. Rouault had 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The two teams opened up by exchanging points for the early part of the contest. TRU did turn over the ball five times to start the game but tightened up defensively. Alberta led by one at the buzzer being paced by Brody Clarke with nine in the frame. TRU got 10 from Joe Davis as they trailed 19-18.
It was more of the same as the teams scrapped it out.. Alberta leading by 3 at the break: 43-40. Clark had seven points while Andre Kelly contributed four of his nine first half points in the second quarter.
TRU's attack started to spread out as Micheal Rouault had seven of his nine first half points in that period.
The third quarter saw the teams continue to battle. The WolfPack outgunning the Golden Bears 15-13. Derek Rhodes cutting the deficit to one with a buzzer beater. Alberta up 56-55 at that point. Rhodes with 11 points alone in the third period.
The fourth and final period was an exciting one, TRU took its first lead of the game early in the fourth quarter at 57-56. The teams battled tooth and nail with the score exchanging hands until the final 3 minutes of the contest. Clarke had seven of his 30 points in the final stanza.
The WolfPack and Golden Bears both will break for Christmas and exams The teams return to regular season play in the Canada West on Friday January 4, 2019. Alberta will be hosting Manitoba that weekend while Thompson Rivers pays a visit to Prince George, BC and the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves. The next home game for TRU isn't until Friday, January 18th when they host the University of Regina Cougars. Tip off at the Warner Rentals Court will be 7 pm.
All WolfPack games—home and away—are webcast on a pay per view basis on Canada West TV. WolfPack home games are webcast by James Matthews and Vince Watson with Dylana Milobar providing interviews before, after the first and third quarters and half time.
The "TRU Bookstore/McDonalds Leader of the Pack" Player of the game was Rhodes.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:
THEY SAID IT! (post game quotes):
TRU Head Coach Scott Clark:
On the Contest: " Our level of compete was better. They are the number six ranked team in the country and they deserve that ranking. They have good players and they are well coached. They play hard and they play the right way, sharing the basketball and they execute. Probably in the fourth quarter, their level of execution was a little better than ours. That is something we will have to address. I thought our effort was pretty good.
Video of post game interview: click here
Alberta head coach Barnaby Craddock:
what did he like about his team: "We are lucky to get out of here with a 'w' tonight. Scott (Clark) always does a great job with these guys as always. They play hard, they are physical and are on the same page. I was happy with our team. We had to play well to win and we did."
Video of post game interview: click here
UP NEXT:
The WolfPack and Golden Bears both will break for Christmas and exams The teams return to regular season play in the Canada West on Friday January 4, 2019. Alberta will be hosting Manitoba that weekend while Thompson Rivers pays a visit to Prince George, BC and the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves. The next home game for TRU isn't until Friday, January 18th when they host the University of Regina Cougars. Tip off at the Warner Rentals Court will be 7 pm.
All WolfPack games—home and away—are webcast on a pay per view basis on Canada West TV. WolfPack home games are webcast by James Matthews and Vince Watson with Dylana Milobar providing interviews before, after the first and third quarters and half time.
OF NOTE:
The "TRU Bookstore/McDonalds Leader of the Pack" Player of the game was Rhodes.