BURNABY BC - After going 2 and 0 on their recent exhibition road trip to start the season, the SFU Men's basketball clan was confident going into their Home Opener vs The University of Capilano Blues. A team that will suit up eight freshmen for their matchup tonight against The Clan.
Right out of the gate, SFU made sure to make use of their extreme experience advantage. Opening up the game with a swarming defense that would prove to be impenetrable to the Blues. Creating turnovers that would lead to SFU's first 16 points.
The young Capilano squad didn't waiver. Lead by fourth-year guard Denver Sparks-Guest, the Blues continued to combat the packed-paint by calming knocking down outside shots and making sure they didn't touch a lick of iron on the way down. The youthfulness was apparent for the Blues and SFU made sure to force the issue, continue to wreak havoc and prey on their errors in any and all ways. However - in large part thanks to Niko Mottus who anchored the offense as a 3rd year forward, the Blues were able to go shot for shot with the Clan through most of the first half, only down 16 at the half.
By three minutes into the second half, it was clear the SFU Clan was here to run a track met. Half court sets where literally non-existent. SFU was happy to place at Capilanos pace, and beat them at it. Down as many as 26 points, the Blues seemed to waive the white flag, and SFU complied. Pulling their starters and letting the second unit get some valuable laying time.
Keystone in that second unit was 1st-year guard out of Killarney Secondary School, Kiante Knight. Charging back mid-way in the second Knight made serval key plays to perhaps put the game within reach. Although a combined effort, Knights personal effort, and ability to make plays in one of his frist college games was outstanding. Driving baseline on SFU's Michael Provenzano only to rise up and put down a Blake-Griffin-esk slam dunk in the heart of SFU's defense - Igniting the crowd. By the time SFU had time to recover and look back up at the scoreboard, they were only up 12 with 13 minutes to play.
SFU Head Coach Steve Hanson, made the call to put his starters back in to seal the deal.
Note ready to let a young Capilano team come spoil their home-opener was #22 SFU senior JJ Pankratz. JJ put the team on his back to carry them to the finish line. Getting absolutely whatever he wanted from the defense. Flashy assists, quick steals, deep threes and even a jaw-dropping slam to single-handedly put the game out of reach for Capilano.
Although this may have looked like a dominating win for the home team. The visiting Blues showed great signs of growth for such a young team. Indeed the future is bright in North Vancouver.
SFU takes home the win, 93 - 74 the final.
Photos via Victory Creative Co. - Patrick Giang
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