The Trinity Western Spartans basketball teams both ended the first semester of league play on a high note with victories over the host Brandon Bobcats.
The Spartans men’s team could only watch as a Bobcats three-pointer at the buzzer missed to give the road team a 75-73 win.
The women’s game was much more one-sided as the Spartans delivered a decisive 74-23 victory.
“Tonight’s game was a great indication of how hard we’ve been working this team and is a great way to end the first half of the season,” said coach Cheryl Jean-Paul.
Holly Strom tied a school record with five blocked shots. She also had nine points, seven rebounds and five steals.
The offence was led by the trio of Emily Knauff (14 points), Chelsey Olsen (12 points) and Stephanie Carkner (10 points).
As a team, Trinity Western shot a sizzling 51.6 per cent from the field, including knocking down five of their nine three-point attempts.
In the men’s game, the Spartans (3-7) overcame a 12-point half-time deficit to post their third win of the season.
“The second half of the game, we really stepped up our game and got a good flow going,” said coach Scott Allen.
“It was a good way to end the semester and we will look to build on it in the second half of the season.”
With less than four minutes remaining, Trinity Western trailed by six points, but thanks to some stellar foul shooting — eight of 10 — the team made up the deficit and won by a basket.
Justin Bakuteka led all scorers with 25 while Mark Perrin had 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Another key for the visitors was their bench, which outscored the Bobcats bench 37-14.
The Spartans were in Regina the night before, losing 88-69.
Perrin led the team with 21 points.
The women’s team also lost to Regina, 72-63.
Strom led the team with 18 points while Knauff had 15. Sarah Cleveland came off the bench to chip in with 14 points.