Box Score Calgary, AB — The Trinity Western University Spartans defeated the MRU Cougars 84-74 in overtime on Kenyon Court.
Jenika Martens started the Cougars scoring run early in their Friday night home opener against the TWU Spartans. Within the first three minutes of the game, Martens earned 7 points before taking a quick rest. It was not long before Martens checked back into the game, only to continue making her presence known by earning another bucket and putting up a block on a Spartans layup attempt. Cassidy Buchanan garnered an impressive 14 points in the first quarter, accounting for more than half of the Spartans' 26 points by the end of the first quarter.
The Spartans opened the second quarter by pushing to a 10-point lead which was led by Sydney Bradshaw and Buchanan. The Cougars and Spartans continued to battle it out on the court as the scoring began to dwindle as both teams began to settle in their plays.
Hayley Lalor kept the Cougars part of this matchup as she checked in for an inbound play where she was able to put up a quick mid-range jumper with five seconds left on the shot clock. Despite a scoring drought from the Cougars,
Nora Luca ended the second quarter with a rainbow 3-pointer, 42-30 for the Spartans at the half.
Returning from halftime, the Cougars brought the energy to the court as they earned 10 points to meet the Spartans 45-45 by the six minute mark. Throughout this quarter, the Spartans were kept to no more than a 3-point lead by the Cougars. By the end, the Cougars closed out the Spartans and held a 2-point lead, 58-56.
In the fourth quarter, both teams suffered a score-less run for almost three minutes. Just over 2 minutes left in regulation, the Spartans managed to climb past the Cougars for a single point lead. Then with 17 seconds left,
Jamie Lalor caught her own rebound to put it back up to keep the Cougars alive with a 1-point differential. The Spartans would make two free throws to extend a 3-point advantage. However, Luca delivered the game-tying 3-pointer with only 5 seconds left then returned onto defense to deny Shemaiah Abatayo's mid-range floater. This would conclude the fourth quarter and welcome overtime, 71-71.
For the five short minutes of overtime, the Spartan put the seal on tonight's game as Abatayo took charge at both ends of the court. The suffocating defense from the Spartans kept the Cougars to three points in overtime to take the win, 84-74.
Tonight's MVPs are
Nora Luca for the Cougars and Cassidy Buchanan for the Spartans. Luca finished with 23 points made by 3 three-pointers and 7 field goals. Additionally, Luca made 2 steals and 2 blocks tonight. Then, Buchanan made 9 field goals, 2 three-pointers, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals for a total of 20 points.
The Cougars will return tomorrow at 5 p.m. MST on Kenyon Court for a rematch against the Spartans.
