LANGLEY, B.C. – Trinity Western was step-for-step with Mount Royal, but with a chance to tie the game with eight seconds to play, the Spartans shot attempt came up short, allowing the Cougars to hold on for an 85-82 win Friday at the Langley Events Centre.
The Cougars John Hegwood made a lay-up with 24 seconds to go to give the visitors an 85-80 lead. TWU’s Jack Nadelhoffer (Tigard, Ore.) earned a lay-up himself with 10 seconds to go, closing the gap back to three points. After a pair of missed free throws from MRU’s Glen Yang, the Spartans grabbed the rebound with eight seconds to play, but Josiah Meppelink’s long ball was unsuccessful.
With the win, MRU improved to 2-3 on the season, while the Spartans dropped to 0-5.
Matthew Guinto had a game-high 23 points to lead MRU, with Hegwood adding 21 and seven rebounds.
Spartans first-year Isaiah Reimer had 22 points, while Vartan Tanielian added 20 points. Jack Nadelhoffer had a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds.
MRU finished the night shooting 46.2 per cent (30-65) from the field, while the Spartan shot 40.5 per cent (32-79). The Spartans had a 46-42 edge on the glass.
The Spartan jumped out to an 11-4 lead in the first quarter only to see MRU respond with a 17-2 run to end the quarter with a 21-13 advantage.
Over the next two quarters, the Spartans closed the gap to two points going into the fourth quarter, with MRU leading 59-57.
The Cougars extended their lead to 67-62, but TWU got right back into it and took a 71-69 lead after a Tanielian 3-pointer.
TWU held an 80-77 edge with 1:52 to play, but a Quinn Taylor three-point play, including a lay-up and converted free, tied the game with 1:42 left. MRU scored the next five points to secure the win.
