Wesmen basketball teams host Trinity Western Spartans

Women improve record to 7-2, men continue losing streak

Captain Amy Ogidan (#14) goes up high to help her Wesmen bring down B.C.‘s Trinity Western Spartans. Dylan Hewlett

When both Wesmen basketball teams hosted the Trinity Western Spartans Nov. 26-27 the women went 2-0, the men went 0-2.

On Friday night, the women came out on fire, and shot 67 per cent from the field in the first half. During the first quarter, the Spartans failed to sink a single hoop, which meant the Wesmen closed out the first 10 minutes of the game 24-0, and lead 39-10 at the half. 

The rest of the game was much the same with the Wesmen dominating at both ends of the court. The final score was 62-34 for Winnipeg. 

Team captain Amy Ogidan felt the game was a good opportunity for all the women to see some floor time. 

“The best part of the weekend for our team was the ability to highlight our depth as a team and showcase some of the youth we have coming off the bench,” she said.

Saturday night’s game witnessed a much better Trinity Western team. The Spartans connected on more of their shots, and never let the Wesmen hold onto a large lead. The Wesmen were missing co-captain and fifth-year point guard Catie Gooch due to an injury from Friday’s game.

Winnipeg won by four points with a final score of 68-64. 

Even though it was close, the women were happy with their persistence.

The best part of the weekend for our team was the ability to highlight our depth as a team and showcase some of the youth we have coming off the bench.

Amy Ogidan, captain, Wesmen women’s basketball team

“Saturday was a bigger test for us as Trinity came out with much more fight,” fourth-year point guard Mackenzie Prasek said. “But I felt we stuck together as a team and we were very happy to take two wins at home.”

Assistant coach Tami Pennell agreed.

“Every game we grow as a team,” Pennell said. “This weekend was an opportunity to see all 13 players in action. That will help us down the line as kids get more game experience.”

On the men’s side, the Wesmen battled in both games and kept the score close, but were unable to finish off the Spartans in the final quarter of each game.

Despite the losses, head coach Mike Raimbault is pleased with his team’s play.

“I was happy with our effort this past weekend,” he said. “TWU is a top calibre team and I thought we battled all the way to the end both nights.”

The men’s team was also missing their fifth-year point guard and captain, Nick Lother, who was unable to play due to an injury. 

“Without Nick we needed some guys to step up,” Raimbault said. “I was pleased with the way we rallied.”

First-year forward Kelvin Smith felt the same after the set of losses.

“We showed a lot of improvement.” he said. “We cut it to 10 in the fourth quarter and ran out of gas. We played hard but lost in the end.”

Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams will take on cross-town rivals, the University of Mantioba Bisons, on Thursday, Dec. 2. in the Duckworth Centre.

The women start off the night at 6 p.m. and the men’s game will tip off at 8 p.m.

Published in Volume 65, Number 14 of The Uniter (December 2, 2010)

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