For a two-game exhibition series to see where they sit, the Simon Fraser University men’s basketball team got a good view.
They exited the SFU Showdown against a pair of NCAA Div. 2 schools with a 2-0 record and a glimpse of their potential.
The Clan defeated the Minnesota State Moorhead Dragons 92-81 on Saturday, a day after squeaking out a 73-72 win over Humboldt State.
Against the Dragons, SFU racked up 13 three-pointers and fired 62.7 per cent from the field to rally from a five-point deficit.
Othniel Spence’s trey early in the fourth quarter, with the Clan nursing a one-point lead, was part of a 18-10 run that put the hosts in control.
Spence finished with a game-high 21 points, including going five-of-seven from outside the arc. Guard Drew Bryson contributed 20 points and point guard Michael Provenzano chipped in 16 points.
Julian Roche delivered 13 points and seven rebounds.
“I’m proud of the guys for getting the win and putting up points against another strong opponent,” remarked SFU coach Steve Hanson.
Against Humboldt, the game came down to free throws, with Jordan Muir-Keung sinking a pair of line shots in a one-point game.
It gave the Clan a 73-69 lead in the dying seconds to lock up the win. Keys in the victory were the contributions of Wilfried Balata and Roche.
For Roche, a transfer from Santa Clara University, it was his first career university double-double, scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds. Topping all shooters was Balata with 22 points and seven boards.
SFU trailed most of the game, including an 11-point deficit late in the first half. They didn’t claim the lead for good until, with two minutes remaining, Provenzano lofted a shot up and in after a key block by Graham Miller.
SFU’s next test comes Thursday, 7 p.m., when they host the Columbia Bible College at Burnaby Mountain.
