Box Score Cougars victorious over Cascades in season finale
Max Campbell, Mount Royal Cougars Sports Information
CALGARY, AB – With a 94-83 win against the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades on Saturday night at Kenyon Court, the Mount Royal University Cougars men's basketball squad concluded their regular season schedule in style. James Lefebvre, the Cougars lone fifth-year player, was honoured with a pre-game ceremony in celebration of his CIS career.
After splitting a two-game series in early January and sweeping both games this weekend, the Cougars claimed the season-series over their Explorer Division rivals.
An early put-back dunk from Brett Layton delighted the home crowd, as did Lefebvre's lay-up while receiving a foul in the paint. After the successful free throw, Mount Royal went up by a score of 5-3. However, back-to-back three pointers from Manny Dulay and a pull-up jumper by Kevon Parchment would highlight 13 straight points from the visitors.
Matthew Gray of the Cougars nailed a triple that preceded a Tethloach Thokbuom block in the second quarter. Inside positioning from Fraser Valley's Nate Brown then resulted in consecutive baskets for the 6'6" forward after he was sidelined for Friday evening's matchup. Trailing 44-35 at the half, Mount Royal managed only six assists compared to 11 from the Cascades.
Tied at 44 apiece in the opening minutes of the third, the Cougar comeback was finally complete, however they failed to take the lead until 2:22 left in the quarter courtesy of a Layton lay-in. Lefebvre took an offensive charge in the chest and Ray Goff scooped up a loose ball for two more points as Mount Royal was in front 66-62 heading into the final frame.
A full-court heave for an easy score from Derek Wolf to Ryan Cunningham began the fourth as the game was in the balance. Down the stretch, the Cougars pulled away, capped off with a Glen Yang basket.
All 10 Mount Royal players found the score sheet in the nine-point triumph.
The Cougars finish the 2015-16 campaign with a 10-10 record and a 6-4 mark on home court.
Fraser Valley, the division's No. 2 seed heading into the playoffs, earned 12 wins against eight losses in total.
