January 19 - The UCFV men’s basketball team picked up its first weekend sweep since the opening week of regular season play thanks to a 75-61 win over Manitoba on Saturday night at the Envision Athletic Centre. With the victory, the Cascades improve to 8-10 on the year, while the Bisons slip to 4-12.

“It was nice to get the sweep,” said UCFV head coach Barnaby Craddock. “I think we’re playing better basketball now than we were at the beginning of the year (when the team swept Thompson Rivers). I thought we came out and put together a decent weekend of basketball, but all the guys know we still have room for improvement. To beat the top teams in the Pacific division, we’re going to have to play better, but we’re on our way and the team is working well together.”

With the win, the Cascades pull to within two points of Simon Fraser (9-9) for third place in Canada West’s Pacific division. The weekend sweep also gives UCFV two more wins than it had all of last season (6-14) – its first year in the CIS.

“I think we have confidence now,” said Craddock who’s team has won three of its last four games. “We have a talented group and it was just a matter of getting everyone on the same page. That’s been the process all year as we got used to the group and a new coach and I think we’re slowly, but surely, getting there.”

Fifth-year guard/forward Joel Haviland (Abbotsford, B.C.) paced the Cascades with 18 points. Second-year guard Doug Plumb (Abbotsford, B.C.) tallied 16 points, while fifth-year guard Anthony Lao (Vancouver, B.C.) added 12.

For Manitoba, Isaac Ansah (Winnipeg, Man.) had a team-high 19 points, while Christoper Perira (East St. Paul, Man.) added 12.

UCFV led 20-11 after the first quarter and doubled the Bisons at the break, 41-22. Manitoba outscored the Cascades 39-34 in the second half, but it wasn’t enough as UCFV rolled to the 14-point win.

The Cascades hit the road for a pair of games at Calgary (13-3) and Lethbridge (0-16) next weekend.

The Bison return home to face Brandon January 25 & 26. Game time on both Friday and Saturday nights is 8:00 pm at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.