The Trinity Western men’s basketball team and Beijing’s Renmin University played to a 78-78 tie Thursday in what will go down as the first tie in Spartans men’s basketball history.
Led by Eli Mara, who had 18 points, five rebounds and six assists and was the Spartans best overall player from start to finish, Trinity Western rallied from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to earn the tie.
“In all my 1600 plus games coaching over the years, this [playing to a tie] is a first,” Spartans coach Scott Allen said.
Trinity Western’s Kyle Coston also had a productive night as he had 20 points, including going 14 for 14 from the free throw line, and eight boards while Niko Monachini added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Spartans are now 2-0-1 on their Chinese tour and are 3-1-1 overall in the preseason.
“These games are defining us and allowing us to begin developing a new identity for this year,” Allen said. “With only four players returning from last year who played prime minutes, we are forging a team cohesiveness that will give us a kick start into the 2011-12 season.”
Playing in front of another crowd of nearly 1000 spectators, the Spartans trailed for much of the game as they found themselves behind after each of the first three quarters. Following the first frame it was 27-24. At halftime it was 45-39. And after the third quarter it was 63-53 in favour of Renmin.
But in the four quarter, it was all Trinity Western as they posted an impressive comeback to knot the game 78-78 by the final horn.
“Our team played quite well,” Allen said. “Justin [Bakuteka] did a great job playing the point guard position as he dispersed the ball well and made great contributions at both ends. Niko [Monachini] was aggressive on the boards and has two timely blocks and added a huge element of physical toughness. And Sean Peter was also a nuisance for Renmim on the offensive boards and a strong presence defensively.”
The two teams will play Friday (Oct. 14) in a rematch and the Spartans return to Langley Oct. 15.
