The basketball season at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) has begun with a pair of losses at home.
Both the men’s and women’s KPU Eagles teams lost to the visiting Columbia Bible College (CBC) Bearcats Friday night at the Surrey campus. CBC began the night by dominating the women’s game and won 86-55, while the Bearcats edged KPU 85-82 in overtime in the men’s contest which followed.
CBC wasted little time taking a lead and extending it in the first game, leading 21-16 after the first quarter and 47-30 by half-time. They held the Eagles to just seven points in the third period, and took a 66-37 lead into the final 10 minutes.
Christina Brown was the top scorer for KPU, netting 14 points while adding three assists. Cyrena Timmins with 11 points and Desiree Lister with 10 also contributed to the Eagle offense. Simreet Burm and Harley Williams were the top rebounders with six each.
The men’s game was a battle from start to finish. There were 16 lead changes in the contest, and a 64-52 Bearcats early in the fourth was the largest lead of the game. CBC led 20-15 after one period, but trailed 28-27 at the half. The two teams combined for 54 points in the third quarter, which ended with the Bearcats leading 61-52.
KPU outscored their guests 19-7 over the final nine minutes to force overtime.
Johsua Kurucz came off the bench to lead the Eagles in scoring with 23 points. Trevor Schultz added another 22, completing a double double by grabbing a team-high 10 rebounds.
Devin Cvitanovich with 12 points and Moeiz Athaya with 10 also scored in double figures.
The two KPU teams will play twice on the road next weekend, tipping-off against the Langara Falcons Friday night, and the Quest Kermodes in Squamish on Saturday.
Langara and the Kermodes faced each other in their first games of the season last weekend in Squamish.
Quest won both games, topping the Falcons 67-47 in the women’s game, then winning the men’s game 81-62.
