Briercrest fans were forced to wait until the final minute of the game until the Briercrest men’s basketball team solidified a 92-85 win against St. Mary’s University College.

Briercrest opened the first quarter with an early 8-0 lead, each basket coming from a different player. After a slow start, St. Mary’s challenged Briercrest’s lead, coming from behind to even out 13-13. A plethora of fouls affected the flow of the game, and Briercrest ended the quarter up 22-17.

Lucas Mannes put the first points up of the second quarter and a three from Josiah Cockrill shortly after brought Briercrest’s lead up to 31-22 before St. Mary’s scored a string of baskets, surpassing Briercrest 35-31. Briercrest’s responsive points came off free throws by Mannes. Briercrest battled back and a three from Christian Sacoman contributed to Briercrest ending second quarter just back from St. Mary’s 36-39.

Lucas Mannes acknowledged that the game wasn’t one of the team’s best performances.

“We’ve just got to move the ball better and we’ve got to finish our layups,” he said, “we just missed shots we usually make. Tomorrow those will go down for sure.”

Sacoman sunk a three to open the third quarter, putting Briercrest right up with St. Mary’s 39-39. James Wohlgeschaffen drove the next one in, moving Briercrest ahead 41-39. St. Mary’s answered back with a three, to which Cockrill responded, tying it up 42-42. Briercrest pulled ahead 48-42. A minor lead alternated between the teams before St. Mary’s stretched away 60-55. Sacoman dropped in another three to end the quarter, leaving Briercrest down 58-60.

Mannes said that Briercrest’s defense in the third quarter was a turning point in the game.

It was a tight fourth quarter as the teams consistently edged one another for the lead, unable to maintain anything solid throughout the quarter. Even at 82-82, Brandon Friesen sunk a basket, bringing Briercrest up 84-82 with one minute remaining in the game. Wohlgeschaffen followed suit, now up 86-82.

Mannes explained that with some of St. Mary’s key players fouled out, Briercrest got the breakthrough needed to close the game strong.

The score this close had the crowd on its feet and the coaches maximizing their time outs. With a final push, Briercrest surged ahead to take the game 92-85.

Players of the game were St. Mary’s Randall Mosca with five rebounds, four assists, and two steals and Briercrest’s James Wohlgeschaffen with 8-8 free throws, ten rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal. Briercrest shot 28-64 (43.8%) and St. Mary’s shot 28-72 (38.9%). Briercrest had 45 rebounds compared to St. Mary’s 38. Briercrest had 12 assists and St. Mary’s had ten. Briercrest allowed 25 turnovers while St. Mary’s only allowed 17.

Briercrest looks for another win against St. Mary’s Saturday at 3:00pm in the Margaret P. Memorial Gymnasium. Come support our Clippers!

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