Box Score Calgary, ALTA—  The Cougars were eager to bring basketball back to Kenyon Court in an exciting victory over the Trinity Western University Spartans, 76-72, in their home opener on Friday night. 

The Cougars started with the game with an easy steal on a Spartans inbound which later led to another steal by Kuach Gajak and dunking on an empty net. Not long after, Gajak pushed for another steal and earned his second dunk of the night. The Cougars and Spartans bolstered with intensity but it quickly turned into a tough battle offensively as the quarter ended 17-15, for the Cougars.

The Spartans went on a 7-point scoring run in the early minutes of the second quarter as the Cougars would call a timeout. Aristote Kalala matched the Cougars' energy by returning two dunks in the second quarter. The Cougars stayed in close contention but the Spartans continued to fight their way through this quarter. Evidently, Josh Belvin, Aristote Kalala, and Caleb Gremaud were key players for the Spartans to tie the score before halftime, 37-37.

Jerric Palma solidified his presence early in the third quarter as a quick steal would lead to a layup and later a trip to the free throw line. The Cougars fell 45-40 but quickly returned to 3-point lead after Gajak denied a Spartans basket on the glass with Keivonte Watts draining an immediate three-pointer, sending the Cougars 50-47. Watts and Gajak continued to be a force on the court as the Cougars extended their lead. However, the Spartans would not let down easily as Palma made a three-point shot to keep the score close as the third quarter came to an end, 59-57 for the Cougars.

Tonight is a game full of non-stop jams as Marcus Shankar received an inbound skip pass to mark the first points of the fourth quarter. The Spartans would slow down the Cougars' run as TWU found and held on its first lead of the game. Tyrone Asenoguan weaved through the paint to dish off to Caleb Gremaud for a quick floater down low, which forced a timeout by the Cougars. After losing momentum, the Cougars began to rally as they battled against a 7-point deficit at the halfway mark. Keivonte Watts was the driving force behind the Cougars to push past the Spartans, 73-72, after draining 2 three-pointers and a layup within 2 minutes. The final buckets from Sam Barnie and Watts would secure the Cougars victory, 76-72, against the Spartans. 

The MVPs for tonight's game are Keivonte Watts for the Cougars and Jerric Palma for the Spartans. Watts earned 20 points with 7 field goals, 4 three-pointers, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. Palma capped off the night with 21 points, 7 field goals, 4 three-pointers, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.

The Cougars will face the Spartans in a rematch tomorrow night at 7 p.m. MST on Kenyon Court.