The Trinity Western Spartans and UFV Cascades traded road victories as both men’s basketball teams improved to 2-2.
The Spartans won 90-82 in overtime on Friday in Abbotsford before the Cascades returned the favour, prevailing 89-73 the next night at the Langley Events Centre.
TWU led 26-19 after one quarter in the rematch but UFV led by one at the half and by five after three quarters. The visitors took control in the fourth to win by 14.
"It would have been nice if we had the energy and focus that we needed for the full game," said Spartans coach Aaron Muhic.
"At times, it was good, but I know that we can rebound and defend better.
“Our guys worked hard but working hard with a purpose is better than working hard with no purpose. We knew they were going to be a wounded bear and I thought we competed but we didn't compete well enough to win. We're a young team and getting guys to have good games back-to-back is something we have to work on."
Vartan Tanielian led the Spartans with 21 points and seven rebounds while Patrick Vandervelden (14 points) and Pogos Trunyan (12 points) also reached double figures.
In the victory the night before, the Spartans erased a six-point deficit in the final two minutes of regulation and closed the game on a 18-4 run.
Trunyan led the visitors with 20 points while Max Viitala came off the bench to score 18 points. He also had six rebounds and four steals.
Tyus Allen had 15 points, five rebounds and six assists and Tanielian and Tee Maberry each had 11 for the Spartans.
The Spartans are in Prince George this weekend for a pair of games against the UNBC Timberwolves.