By Larry Read

Thompson RIvers University Sports Information Officer

KAMLOOPS, BC---The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack squandered a one time 20 point lead and wound up losing to the University of Regina Cougars 88-87 in overtime in Canada West men's basketball action.

The game was played on the championship court at the Tournament Capital Centre in Kamloops on Friday (Jan 18).

The Cougars outscored the Pack 46-29 in the second half and forced overtime with a shot in the dying stages of regulation.

Regina scored the game-winning bucket with just eight seconds to go when Kameron Vales found Samuel Hillis on a fast break to put the visitors up by one.

Thompson Rivers had a chance to win it at the buzzer but after Benjamin Hillis knocked away an attempted pass into the post, the WolfPack's Derek Rhodes couldn't get a tough turnaround jumper to fall.

 Hillis had 17 points and 10 rebounds for Regina.

TRU was led by Derek Rhodes. Rhodes had 23 points—20 of them coming in the first half.

 SYNOPSIS

The WolfPack shot the lights out in the first half and led by 20 points at timesRegina pressed Thompson Rivers late in the second quarter and wound up forcing 14 turnovers in the first half compared to giving the ball up nine times themselves.

The Cougars press gave the WolfPack fits and they turned over the ball 12 times alone in the third quarter.

Regina suffered a big blow in the second half when Greishe Clerjuste injured his knee. He took a jump shot at the top of the key and landed on the foot of WolfPack guard Micheal Rouault. He left the game and didn't return.

Regina scored 32 second chance points compared to the WolfPack's 15.  Their bench outscored TRU's 36-22 while Regina had 48 points in the paint compared to 32 for Thompson Rivers.

It was the first home game for the WolfPack in the 2019 calendar year and the first of a four game home stand.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:

click here

KEY STATS:

Thompson Rivers :

Derek Rhodes (5^th  year, forward, Antioch,CA):23 points, 3 assists 1 steal in 42 mins

Joe Davis (4^th year, forward, Kamloops, BC): 17 points, 10 rebounds (8 def), 2 assists in 41 mins

Mike Rouault (4th year, guard, Vernon, BC): 14 points, 12 rebounds (7 def), 4 assists, 3 steals in 31 mins

Enrico Nuno (4^th year, forward, Half Moon Bay, CA): 14  points, 6 defenisve rebounds 7 assists , 3 steals 32 mins

Tyus De Vries (2nd year, guard, Chilliwack, BC):11 points, 4 defensive rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals in 31 mins

REGINA:

Samuel Hillis: 17 points, 10 rebounds (6 def), 3 assists, 4 steals in 36 mins

Kameron Vales: 15 points, 1 assist in 29 mins:

Myles Hamilton: 14 points, 2 def rebounds, 1 steal in 23 mins

Nick Barnard:14 points, 3 rebounds (2 offense), 3 assists, 2 blocks, 22 mins

Turnovers:

TRU 27   REGINA: 15

Score by Periods:

TRU               21   26   11   18   11   ---87

REGINA         12   18   21   25   12   ---88

RECORD:

TRU: 6-9   REGINA:  11-4

THEY SAID IT! (post game quotes):

TRU Head Coach Scott Clark:

Video of post game interview:  click here

Regina head coach Steve Burrows:

Video of post game interview:  click here

UP NEXT:

The  WolfPack  and Cougars will finish off their weekend series tomorrow night (Sat Jan 19) at the Tournament Capital Centre.  Tip off will be 7 pm.

All WolfPack games—home and away—are webcast on a pay per view basis on Canada West TV. 

OF NOTE:

 The "TRU Bookstore/McDonalds  Leader of the Pack" Player of the game was Joe Davis. This was Donor night where various individuals and businesses in the area who support TRU Athletics through scholarships and bursaries were recognized.  The  'World Famous" Kamloops Rube Band was in attendance to play.

Before the game, there was a moment of silence to honor the passing of Glen Burrell. Known as the "WolfPack's number one fan" and 'unofficial grandpa' to the student/athletes over the years, Burrell was a mainstay at all games and matches.  He passed away earlier this week.