November 24 - The Trinity Western University Spartans had four players in double figures, and won a drama-filled contest Saturday night 83-80 over the Manitoba Bisons at TWU's David E. Enarson Gymnasium.

"At the end it came down to our guys executing at both ends of the floor," said TWU Head Coach Stan Peters. "Our guys stayed focused, and we beat a good team tonight. I thought Jason Keegstra had a breakthrough night, and he's really important to us."

Keegstra (Vernon, B.C,) led the Spartans with 18 points and five rebounds, and hit nine of 10 free throws. Isaac Ansah (Winnipeg) had a huge night in the loss for the Bisons, scoring 16 of his game high 27 points in the second half.

Manitoba never trailed in the first half, and the game was only tied three times: at the beginning, middle, and end of the half. After falling behind quickly the Spartans worked their way back throughout the first quarter, and the score was tied at 19 with just 10 seconds left. Ansah then drove right and buried a jumper as the clock hit zero to give Manitoba a 21-19 first quarter lead.

Manitoba carried a slim lead through the second quarter, and led 43-39 when they turned the ball over with 10 seconds left in the half. The Bisons were then called for a technical foul, giving TWU two foul shots plus the ball. Keegstra hit both free throws, and on the ensuing possession Spartans freshman guard Jon Loewen (Abbotsford, B.C.) made a layup as time expired to even the game at 43. Fellow rookie guard Matt Myers had nine first half points on three three-pointers for the Spartans, while the Bisons' Darcy Coss (Winnipeg) was on fire, scoring 18 points on seven of 11 shooting, including four of four from three-point land.

TWU did not take their first lead until midway through the third quarter when Joe Vroom (Abbotsford, B.C.) slammed home an emphatic dunk to make it 48-46.

"This is the third game in a row that Joe has had a nice dunk for us," said Coach Peters of Vroom's big dunk. "He went up against on one of the best shot blockers in the league, did a good job of protecting the ball and just hammering it home. That really motivated our guys and given us a lot of energy when we needed it"

Just as he did in the first quarter, Ansah again beat the buzzer with a tough pull-up jumper to tie the game at 68 at the end of the third quarter. The fourth quarter went back and forth, with neither team leading by more than five points. With just over a minute remaining, Manitoba had the ball and an 80-79 lead. The Bison missed a jumper and Ansah was called for a loose-ball foul as he battled for the rebound with Loewen. It was not only the Bisons' fifth team foul, sending Loewen to the line, but it was also Ansah's fifth personal, fouling him out with 58 seconds remaining. Loewen calmly drained both free throws to give the Spartans an 81-80 lead, and would hit two more free throws to win the game 83-80.

For the Spartans Loewen finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a steal while Vroom totaled eight points, eight rebounds, and four blocked shots. For the Bisons, Coss finished with 22 points, three boards and two steals, while Brian Crowe (Victoria) had 15 points, eight rebounds and two assists.

The Spartans win gives them three in the Canada West, moving two points back of the fourth place UCFV Cascades in the Pacific Division. The Cascades and Spartans will play twice in Abbotsford, B.C. next weekend, the first game Friday November 30 at 8 p.m. The Bisons fall to 0-8 with the loss, and will try for the first win next Friday night at the University of Regina Cougars at 8 p.m.

Game Notes- The Spartans shot a season high 90.6% from the free line making 29 of 32...Ansah's 27 points was one point shy of his season high 28 he scored at Winnipeg on November 1...The 80 points were the most scored by Manitoba in a game this season...The game was broadcast live on GoSpartans.ca.