Metro Vancouver…..The KPU Eagles men’s basketball team fought two back-to-back battles in their home opener weekend of the 2014/15 PACWEST CCAA season at the Eagles’ Nest in Surrey, BC, but unfortunately KPU could not get past either opponent. The Eagles came from a 21-point deficit but fell 77-67 to the Capilano University Blues Friday, November 7th. On Saturday, November 8th, the Eagles were defeated by the Quest University Canada Kermodes, 76-45. The Eagles 2014/15 regular season record is now 1-2 and the team will head out on the road to take on Langara College and Douglas College next week.
In both games, the visitors jumped out to take early leads on the young KPU squad. Rebounding and defending made a significant impact on the team’s performance this weekend. KPU’s first-year guard Brenden Bailey, Coquitlam, BC had a stellar weekend with 52 points and strong performances on both sides of the court. Leadership and integrity on the floor came from first-year KPU forward Nick (Nicholas) Smith, Surrey, BC. Eagle veterans, fifth-year point guard James Bradshaw, Delta, BC and third-year point guard Spencer Maichin, Delta, BC, also provided excellence in playing for the team.
“We need to learn to do our job COMPLETELY. In other words, we need to have everyone play with energy,” stated Eagles head coach Vladimir Nikić, “If we continue to grow as people, continue to grow as family, continue to grow as individuals, and strive to be better people, we will win a lot of games this year.”
Game Recap: versus the Capilano University Blues
At the half, Bailey had 15 points that included 4/11 field goals, ½ three-point shots, and 7/10 free throws. Smith put up five points, while first-year Eagles forward Trevor Schulz, Richmond, BC, like Bailey, led the half in rebounds, pulling down four boards. KPU shot 50% from the line in the first half.
Leading the offense for the Blues was second-year guard Andrew Morris, Burnaby, BC, with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Capilano shot 64% from the line.
By the end of the game Bailey had 29 points, which included 7/25 field goals, 3/9 three-point shots, and 10/15 free throws. Smith scored 15 points; 7/11 shots were field goals and 1/2 were free throws. Schulz ended the game leading total rebounds for his team with eight. The Eagles shot 54% from the line for the game.
Scoring:
KPU 11 15 21 20 = 67
CAP 18 20 22 17 = 77
Team Rebounds:
KPU: 24+24=48/CAP: 27+24=51
Game Recap: versus the Quest University Canada Kermodes
Much like Friday’s game versus the Blues, Bailey led the team in scoring at the half with nine points. First-year power-forward Matt (Madison) Cooley, Delta, BC and first-year forward Marcus Moldowan, Richmond, BC led KPU in rebounds, each pulling down three boards. The Eagles shot 67% from the line.
Leading scorers for Quest at the half were fourth-year guard Dylan Kular, Abbotsford, BC, with 16 points and third-year forward Theo VandenEkart, Sultan, WA, USA, with seven points. The Kermodes shot 58% from the line.
End of game statistics saw Bailey continue to dominate for the Eagles this weekend with a total of 23 points on the night; 7/20 field goals and 9/16 free throws. Cooley added seven points and led the team in rebounds with 10. The Eagles shot 60% from the line.
Quest’s Kular and VandenEkart led Kermodes in scoring with 22 and 16 points, respectfully. Quest third-year forward Justin Tryon, Qualicum Beach, BC led the Kermodes in rebounds with nine on the night. The Kermodes shot 73% from the field.
Scoring:
KPU 6 12 14 13 = 45
QST 17 22 12 25 = 76
Team Rebounds:
KPU: 18+17=35/QST: 31+29=60
Next week the Eagles will go on the road visit the Langara College Falcons on Friday, November 14th and the Douglas College Royals on Saturday, November 15th. Both games start at 8:00pm.
The KPU Eagles women and men’s basketball programs will host a Food Drive in their first four home games of the 2014/15 regular season in support of the Surrey Food Bank. Admission is no charge when fans bring a non-perishable food item as a donation. Please note that no cash donations will be accepted in lieu of admission. Remaining games include:
- November 21st versus Camosun College Chargers
6:00pm women’s game, 8:00pm men’s game - November 22nd versus VIU Mariners
1:00pm women’s game, 3:00pm men’s game
For more information on the Department of Athletics & Recreation, please contact Junelle Mah, sports information and marketing, at 604-786-0804 or at junelle.mah@kpu.ca.
The KPU Eagles Department of Athletics & Recreation enters its 14th season of interuniversity competition. The Eagles are members of the PACWEST conference and play in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with 100 student-athletes participating on eight varsity teams in men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, badminton and golf. KPU athletics plays its home games at the Eagles’ Nest (Surrey Campus), Northview Golf & Country Club, Newton Athletic Park, all located in Surrey, BC and the Ace Badminton Centre in Richmond, BC. The Eagles are active in the conference with staff members on various advisory committees and competing to host both provincial and national championships. The student-athletes are mainly from the lower mainland but KPU’s rosters have included student-athletes from North America, South America, Asia and Europe.
Follow the Eagles on Twitter @KPU Eagles, on Facebook www.facebook.com/KPUEagles, or on our website www.kpu.ca/eagles.