They came close, but a buzzer-beating three-pointer at the final whistle by the Saskatchewan Huskies denied the Trinity Western Spartans their first victory of the season.
With six seconds to play and the Spartans ahead 77-75, the Huskies inbounded the ball and got it to Jonathan Karwacki in the corner, who sank a high arcing shot for the 78-77 win.
The two Canada West men’s basketball teams were playing at the David E. Enarson Gymnasium with Trinity Western falling to 0-8 on the season.
The big difference in the game was turnovers and free throws for the Spartans as they committed 21 turnovers and shot just 12-for-20 from the charity stripe.
Kelvin Smith led the team with 29 points and eight rebounds while Lucas Mannes had 15 points, seven assists, six rebounds and a pair of blocked shots.
The teams also played the night before at the Langley Events Centre with the Huskies winning that contest 97-86.
The Spartans had an 18-10 first quarter lead but could not sustain the advantage.
Mannes led the way with 23 points and five rebounds while Dean Richey had 20 points and Smith chipped in 18.