Men's Basketball Tips Off Season with New Faces
[Roseburg, OR] - The Treasure Valley Men's Basketball team finished opening weekend in the win column at the Umpqua Invitational Tournament. In the first matchup of the weekend, the Chukars faced off with the Clark College Penguins. The Chuks had two players in double figures, as sophomore Cyprien Ndabanyenzuye tallied 12 points, and freshman Garret Long contrinuted with 15 points off the bench. The Chukars kept it close throughout the game, but ultimately fell with a final score of 68-64 to the Penguins.
In game two of the weekend, the next opponent was the host Umpqua Riverhawks. The Chuks got off to a slow start on the evening, and only had one player in double figure scoring. DaPri Weatherall went 4-6 from the field and netted 10 points on the night. TVCC fell to the Riverhawks in their second outing of the season with a final score of 105-46.
Looking to finish opening weekend with a W, the next opponent in the way of that was the University of Oregon Club team. After the first half, the Ducks club team and the Chukars were knotted at 32 points each. Coming out of half time, the score was close throughout the entire game. The Chukars saw solid performances from Cyprien Ndabanyenzuye with 10 points, DeVaughn Williams with 12 points, 7 rebounds, and Garret Long with 21 poines and 9 rebounds. The star of the game, though, was freshman Judah Ward, who was fouled with 1 second left on the clock, when the Chukars were down 1 point, 68-69. The freshman stepped up to the free throw line for 2 free throws, sinking the first one to tie the game. He nailed the second free throw to put the Chuks up one point, 70-69 with 1 second remaining. The Ducks club team inbounded the ball and sent up a heave towards the basketball to win, but it fell short. The Chukars picked up their first win of the season with new Head Coach Cam Swanson, to finish their weekend 1-2.
The Chukars will next play at home against Utah Peaks Prep in a weekend double header, facing them on both Friday, December 3rd, and Saturday, December 4th.