Wesmen Playoff Games Results - February 12 - February 15, 2009

Thursday, February 12, 2009

HOME: (Great Plains Division Semi-Finals Best of Three Series)

Women's Basketball vs Manitoba (Game One)
WESMEN 82  Manitoba 66

GOOCH LEADS WESMEN TO GAME ONE WIN OVER MANITOBA

Winnipeg Wesmen third year guard Catie Gooch scored a game high 25 points to lead the Winnipeg Wesmen to a 82-66 victory over the Manitoba Bisons in game one of the Great Plains Division semi-final Thursday night at the Duckworth Centre.

Gooch was unstoppable connecting on nine-of-12 from the field, including five-of-seven from three point territory.

The Wesmen came out with their playoff game faces on early in the game racing out to a 20-8 lead with just over 3:00 minutes to play in the opening frame. Winnipeg was able to maintain their twelve point advantage leading 25-13 after the opening quarter.

Winnipeg set the tone early in the second quarter going on a 7-2 run in a span of 2:50 to take a 32-15 lead. Manitoba did get back into the game going on a 11-6 run to cut the Wesmen lead to twelve points at 38-26. The Wesmen responded outscoring Manitoba 8-2 in the final three minutes to lead 46-28 at halftime.

The Wesmen took control of the game early in the third quarter. Winnipeg came out of the halftime break and outscored Manitoba 11-2, sparked by consecutive three pointers by Randie Gibson to expand their lead to 57-30. Manitoba scored six straight points before a trio of three pointers by Catie Gooch gave the Wesmen their largest lead of the game at 66-36. Winnipeg led 66-39 after three quarters.

Manitoba did make a brief charge in the fourth quarter cutting the Wesmen lead to 75-62 with over 3:00  minutes to play. A three pointer by Sarah Reilly halted the Bison charge as Winnipeg went on to win the game 82-66.

Randie Gibson scored 15 points, including four-three pointers for the Wesmen. Kaitlin Remel led Winnipeg with nine rebounds and four steals.

Michele Hynes led Manitoba with 14 points, including a pair of three-pointers. Whitney Lodge-Zaparnick had 12 points and Kait Flett followed with 11 points.

Notes: Winnipeg out-rebounded Manitoba 42-25. The Wesmen finished the contest connecting on 47% from the field and 50% (14-of-28)from three point territory. Manitoba finished the contest shooting 41%.

Game two in the best of three series will be played Friday night at the Duckworth Centre. Game time is 7:00 p.m.

AWAY: (Great Plains Division Semi-Finals Best of Three Series)

Men's Basketball @ Regina (Game One)
WESMEN 81  Regina 97

REGINA TAKES SERIES OPENER OVER WESMEN

The Regina Cougars gained the early advantage in the Great Plains Division semi-final series by beating the Wesmen 97-81 in game one of the best of three series Thursday night in Regina.

Winnipeg stayed close to the hometown Cougars in the first quarter trailing by only five points at 22-17 after the opening frame. In the second quarter both teams exchanged baskets until with under 4:00 to play and the score 41-36 for Regina, the Cougars exploded for 11 unanswered points to close out the first half. Regina led at the halftime break 52-36.

Winnipeg was unable to close the gap in the second half as the Cougars enjoyed a double-digit lead for all of the second half to clinch the 97-81 game one win.

"We played a great first quarter and part of the second but that 11-0 at the end of the second quarter killed us", said Wesmen Head Coach Dave Crook.

Peter Lomuro was outstanding in the contest for the Wesmen scoring a career high 33 points, including five three pointers. Nick Lother finished with 12 points and Mike James followed with 10 points.

Kris Heshka led Regina with 27 points and Jeff Lukomski chipped in with 22 points.

Game two will be played on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. in Regina. Game three if necessary will be played Saturday night at 7:00 p.m.

Friday, February 13, 2009

HOME: (Great Plains Division Semi-Finals Best of Three Series)

Women's Basketball vs Manitoba (Game Two)
WESMEN 62  Manitoba 64

BISON BASKET AT BUZZER FORCES GAME THREE

Bison guard Kait Flett hit a jumper at the buzzer to give the Manitoba Bisons a 64-62 victory over the Winnipeg Wesmen in game two of the best of three Great Plains Division semi-final Friday night at the Duckworth Centre. The victory forces a third and deciding game Saturday night at the Duckworth Centre. Game time is 7:00 p.m.

The two teams struggled to find their scoring touch in the first quarter of game two. Winnipeg held a slim 14-12 lead after the opening ten minutes.

Winnipeg started the second quarter on a 7-2 run to pull ahead 21-14 with 6:43 left in the quarter. The teams would go on to exchange baskets for the remainder of the quarter as Winnipeg went into the halftime break leading 31-25.

Amy Ogidan scored nine points in the first half to lead Winnipeg. Catie Gooch was superb on defensive end finishing the first half with seven steals. Kait Flett led Manitoba with eight points in the half.

Winnipeg maintained the lead for the entire third quarter. The Wesmen led by as much as nine points on two occassions but each time the Bisons would battle back to cut the deficit to as little as two points. Winnipeg held a 49-43 lead after three quarters.

In the fourth quarter Winnipeg scored seven of the first eleven points to hold their biggest lead iof the game (10 points) with the score 57-47 2:00 into the quarter. Manitoba got back into the game going on a 11-3 run in a span of 5:00 to cut the Wesmen lead to 60-58. A Jessica Stromberg jumper with just under two minutes gave the Wesmen a 62-58 lead but baskets by Kait Flett and Mubo Ilelaboye 21 seconds apart tied the score at 62-62, setting up the last second heroics by Kait Flett.

Flett finished the game with a game high 19 points. Tessa Klassen added 16 points, including two three pointers. Mubo Ilelaboye finished with 14 points. Flett and Michele Hynes led the Bisons with eight rebounds each.

Jessica Stromberg and Amy Ogidan led the Wesmen with 17 points. Alex MacIver added 10 points. Stromberg completed the double-double hauling in a game high 13 rebounds.

AWAY: (Great Plains Division Semi-Finals Best of Three Series)

Men's Basketball @ Regina (Game Two)
WESMEN 93  Regina 76

LOTHER LEADS WESMEN TO VICTORY TO FORCE GAME THREE

Nick Lother scored a game high 43 points to lead the Winnipeg Wesmen to a 93-76 win over the Regina Cougars in game two of the best of three Great Plains Division semi-final series Friday night in Regina.

The win by the Wesmen ties the series at one game apiece and forces a third and deciding game on saturday night at 7:00 p.m.

Regina gained the easrly advantage in the contest racing out to a 26-17 lead after the opening quarter. Regina had success inside scoring 14 points in the paint, compared to only four for the Wesmen.

Winnipeg found their game both on offence and defencein the second quarter scoring 25 points in the quarter and limiting the Cougars to only 15 points. The Wesmen went into the halftime break leading 42-41

Winnipeg outscored the Cougars 22-18 in the third quarter to extend their lead to five points to 64-59 after three quarters.

The Wesmen poured it on in the final quarter scoring 29 points and and led by as much as 21 points in the final frame to seal the victory.

"Nick and Peter were great, but we also got great play off the bench from Jeff Shynkaryk and Chris Jordan, after the first quarter we settled down and did a better job on defense", said Wesmen Head Coach Dave Crook.

Lother was 14-of-21 from the field, 6-of-8 from three point territory and 9-of-12 from the free throw line. Lother also added seven rebounds, five assists and five steals. Peter Lomuro coming off a 33 point performance in game one, finished with 26 points. Mike James added 13 points, while Jeff Shynkaryk had a strong defensive game finishing with eight rebounds and a game high six blocks.

Jamal Williams led Regina with 21 points. Kris Heshka had 14 and Jeff Lukomski finished with 13 points.



(Canada West Conference Semi Finals Best of Three Series)

Men's Volleyball @ Calgary (Game One)
Calgary def WESMEN 3-2 (30-28, 23-25, 25-22, 16-25, 15-13)

CALGARY BEATS WESMEN IN FIVE SETS TO WIN GAME ONE

The Calgary Dinos defeated the Winnipeg Wesmen 3-2 (30-28, 23-25, 25-22, 16-25, 15-13) in game one of the best of three Canada West Conference semi-final series Friday night in Calgary.

Omar Langford led Calgary with a match high 25 kills. Andrew Tallas was neth 22 with 18 kills.

Andrew Town led the Wesmen with 22 kills and 11 digs. Justin Duff had a great match in the middle finishing with 14 kills and nine blocks. Alan Ahow was next with 10 kills and 11 digs.

" We played well enough at times but we can play better. Calgary has a nice advantage at home and we can play better", said Wesmen Head Coach Larry McKay.

Game two of the best of three series will take place Saturday evening at 9:00 p.m. (Wpg Time). Game three if necessary will take place Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. (Wpg Time).




Saturday, February 14, 2009

HOME: (Great Plains Division Semi-Finals Best of Three Series)

Women's Basketball vs Manitoba (Game Three)
WESMEN 62  Manitoba 61

OGIDAN'S HEROICS GIVE WESMEN SERIES WIN

Winnipeg second year guard Amy Ogidan showed nerves of steel sinking two free throws with no time left on the clock to give the Wesmen a dramatic 62-61 victory over the Manitoba Bisons in the third and deciding game of the Great Plains Division semi-final Saturday night at the Duckworth Centre.

Ogidan went to the foul line thanks to a Bison foul on an inbound pass with one second left in regulation time.

The teams came out focused and put everything on the line in this game. Manitoba gained control early on in the first quarter scoring nine unanswered points to take a 18-8 lead with 1:40 left in the opening quarter. The Wesmen fought back and thanks to three pointers by Jessica Stromberg and Randie Gibson, Winnipeg went on a 8-2 run to cut the Bison lead to 20-16 after the opening frame.

Manitoba held the lead into the second quarter but Winnipeg came back once again closing the gap to 28-27 in the Bison's favour. Tessa Klassen sparked the Bisons in the final 3:45 scoring seven striaght points to give Manitoba a 35-31 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter the Bisons led by as much as seven points on two occassions only to have Winnipeg close the gap every time. The Bisons led 43-36 with 6:40 to play, when Catie Gooch completed a four point play to close the gap to 43-40. The teams exchanged baskets and the Bisons held on to a 47-45 lead after three quarters.

Manitoba held their biggest lead of the night (nine points) 57-48 with 5:22 left to play in the final quarter when Winnipeg responded going on a 8-0 run to cut the Manitoba lead to 57-56. Kait Flett drained a jumper with 1:07 remaining to extend the Bison lead to 59-56. Amy Ogidan sank two free throws with 52 seconds left to pull Winnipeg to within a point at 59-58. Manitoba answered right back with Mubo Ilelaboye scoring a short jumper to give the Bisons a 61-58 lead with 38 seconds left. Ogidan scored a basket with 29 seconds left to narrow the score to 61-60 setting up her last second heroics to make the final score 62-61 in Winnipeg's favor.

Caity Gooch led Winnipeg with 15 points and six steals. Ogidan and Jessica Stromberg each finished with 12 points. Kaitlin Rempel had a solid game finishing with a double-double 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Tessa Klassen led Manitoba with a game high 19 points, including three-three pointers and eight rebounds and six steals. Kait Flett finished with 10 points.

Winnipeg will move on to the Great Plains Division final series against the Regina Cougars in Regina starting next Thursday night.


AWAY: (Great Plains Division Semi-Finals Best of Three Series)

Men's Basketball @ Regina (Game Three)
WESMEN 74  Regina 85

COUGARS DEFEAT WESMEN TO WIN SERIES IN THREE

The Winnipeg Wesmen saw their season come to an end with a 85-74 loss to the Regina Cougars in the third and deciding game of the Great Plains Division semi-final series Saturday night in Regina.

Winnipeg started slowly in the first quarter falling behind 8-0 1:40 into the game. Winnipeg did manage to get back ionto the game late in the quarter trailing 17-10 with 3:52 left in the quarter. Regina went on to outscore the Wesmen 15-8 down the stretch to lead 32-18 after the opening ten minutes.

Regina extended their lead to as much as 15 points in the second quarter at 40-25 with 6:37 left in the second. The Wesmen recovered and outplayed the Cougars for the remainder of the quarter outscoring the home team 15-5 down the stretch to cut the regina lead to 45-40 at halftime.

The Cougars took control of this game back in the third quarter outscoring the Wesmen 27-11 to extend their lead to72-51 after three quarters.

In the fourth quarter Regina maintained their double digit lead for the entire quarter with the closest the Wesmen would come is 10 points, but it was a case of too little too late as Regina ran out the clock and the season for the Wesmen.

" We got off to a really slow start and that hurt us, but we managed to fight back a few times, we got into some foul trouble in the second half that did not help", said Wesmen Head Coach Dave Crook.

Kris Heshka led Regina with a game high 28 points and hauled in 11 rebounds. Jordan McFarlan added 16 points. Jeff Lukomski finished with 14 points.

Mike James led the Wesmen with 23 points. Nick Lother added 17 points, five assists. Peter Lomuro was next with 15 points. Ryan Willerton led the Wesmen with eight rebounds.

Notes: Regina led in rebounds 55-32. Winnipeg was called for 25 fouls comparted to 16 for Regina.


(Canada West Conference Quarter Finals Best of Three Series)

Men's Volleyball @ Calgary (Game Two)
WESMEN def Calgary 3-2 (25-22, 23-25, 25-19, 23-25, 15-10)

WESMEN EVEN SERIES WITH FIVE SET VICTORY

The Winnipeg Wesmen forced a third and deciding game in the Canada West Semi Final series after defeating the Calgary Dinos 3-2 (25-22, 23-25, 25-19, 23-25, 15-10) Saturday night in Calgary.

The series is now tied 1-1 with game three to be played Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. (Wpg Time)

Calgary gained the easrly momentum in the first set leading 8-6 and 16-15 at the technical timeouts. Winnipeg fought back to tie the score at 21-21 late in the set and then proceeded to score four of the next five points to win the first set 25-22.

Calgary won the second set 25-23 after leading 8-6 and 16-15 at the technical timeouts.

Winnipeg gained the momentum back in the third set leading 8-6 and 16-13 at both timeouts and were on their way winning the third set 25-19.

Winnipeg looked to close the match out in the fourth set leading 8-5 and 16-15 at the set breaks but the Dinos soon recovered and took a 23-21 lead deep into the fourth set. Winnipeg evened the score at 23-23 after a Calgary service error and a kill by Paul Kjos. The Dinos recovered scoring the final two points to win the fourth set 25-23.

The Wesmen took control of the fifth set leading 8-4 at the changeover and did not allow the Dinos to get any closer than two points. Winnipeg won the match winning the fifth set 15-10.

Andrew Town led Winnipeg with 19 kills. Justin Duff was solid with 13 kills and eight blocks. Paul Kjos finished with 13 kils and and five blocks and Alan Ahow had 10 kills and a match high 13 digs.

Andrew Tallas led the Dinos with a match high 21 kills. Omar Langford and Chris Hoag each had 11 kills. Tom Porta finished with nine digs.



Sunday, February 15, 2009

AWAY:

(Canada West Conference Quarter Finals Best of Three Series)

Men's Volleyball @ Calgary (Game Three)
WESMEN def Calgary 3-2 (29-31, 26-24, 25-22, 24-26, 15-9)

WESMEN MOVE ONTO FINAL FOUR, NATIONALS

For the third consecutive year Head Coach Larry McKay and his team are heading to the Canada West Final Four and the CIS Men's Volleyball National Championship. The Wesmen earned both berths with a dramatic 3-2 (29-31, 26-24, 25-22, 24-26, 15-9) victory over the Calgary Dinos in the third and deciding game of the Canada West semi-final series Sunday in Calgary.

Winnipeg captured the gold medal two years ago and last season settled for silver at the CIS Men's Volleyball Championships.

"It is great for our seniors to return to Nationals in their final year. It was a great full team effort in all 15 sets this weekend against a great Calgary team", said Wesmen Head Coach Larry McKay.

Winnipeg was led by Andrew Town who finished the match with a career high 30 kills.

Calgary gained the early advantage in the first set leading 8-4 and 16-13 at the technical timeouts. The teams continued to battle deep into the set with Winnipeg leading 29-28 until Calgary scored three straight points to win the first set 31-29.Town finished the first set with 10 kills.

Winnipeg gained control back in the second set leading 8-5 and 16-15 at the set breaks. Calgary actually had set point with a 24-23 lead. A Winnipeg time out andconsecutive kills from Alan Ahow and Justin Duff later, Calgary had missed its opportunity to go up 2-0 in the match and the Wesmen took a 26-24 win in the second set.

The third set belonged to the Wesmen leading 8-3 and 16-13 at the timeouts. Winnipeg gained the advantage in the match winning the third set 25-22.

Calgary recovered in the fouorth set leading 8-6 at the first break only to see the Wesmen fight back to take a 16-15 lead at the second timeout of the set. The Dinos regrouped and had set point at 24-22 but A kill by Alan Ahow followed by a Calgary attacking error tied the score at 24-24. Calgary recovered scoring the final two points to win the fourth set 26-24 to force a fifth set.

Winnipeg dominated in the fifth set racing out to a quick 5-1 lead and maintaining their lead at 8-4 at the timeout before winnig the fifth set 15-9.

Besides Town the Wesmen were also led by Justin Duff who finished with 18 kills and seven blocks. Alan Ahow had a strong match with 17 kills, a team leading 12 digs, and three blocks. Setter Dan Lother had 68 assists, eight digs and three blocks.

Omar Langford led the way for the Dinos with 16 kills, while Chris Hoag hada good outing with 14 kills. Andrew Tallas added 13 kills.