University of Winnipeg

WINNIPEG - Fifth year guard Manny Dulay scored a game high 29 points to lead the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades to a 78-71 victory over the University of Winnipeg Wesmen Friday afternoon at the Duckworth Centre to even the best of three Canada West Men's Basketball Play In Series.

The third and deciding game will be played Saturday afternoon at the Duckworth Centre with tip off scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

Dulay finished with seven-three pointers, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Mark Johnson added 14 points and seven boards while Navjot Bains added 10.

Third year forward Sean Tarver led the Wesmen with 22 points. Fifth year post Ryan Oirbans finished with his second consecutive double-double, 16 points and 10 rebounds. Denzel Lynch-Blair finished with 14 points and four assists.

After a tight opening quarter which saw both teams put up 17 points on the board, the Cascades found some breathing room in the second frame outscoring the Wesmen 22-17. Dulay connected for three three-pointers in the frame to carry the Cascades to a 39-34 lead at the halftime break.

The Cascades extended their lead even further in the third quarter going on an 11-2 run in the opening 3:30 to lead 50-36. Winnipeg was able to cut the deficit into single digits on three occasions but the Cascades responded with a basket on the next possession each time. Fraser Valley went into the final quarter leading 66-55.

Winnipeg clawed their way back into the game in the fourth quarter going on an 8-2 run to cut the Cascade lead to 72-67 with 4:00 remaining. Baskets by Vijay Dhillon and Dulay extended the Cascades lead to double-digits at 77-67 with 3:00 left in regulation. A pair of free throws by Denzel Lynch-Blair followed by a jumper by Narcisse Ambanza cut the lead to 77-71. Winnipeg was unable to gain any more ground in the contest making the final score 78-71.

Fraser Valley finished the contest with 12-three pointers, Winnipeg had five. The Wesmen had the advantage in the rebounding department by a 36-28 margin. The Cascades connected on 45% from the field while Winnipeg was successful on 40%.