Playing on their own court for the first time in front of about 100 roaring spectators, Squamish's university basketball team embarked on a new kind of quest.
No longer hopelessly trying to chase down 20-point gaps, the men's Quest University team, the Bearcats, battled ball-for-ball before finally overtaking the Capilano College Blues 87-80 in overtime on Saturday night (Oct. 20).
The season's first win evens the three-game Sea to Sky Challenge 1-1 between the two British Columbia Colleges' Athletic Association squads. But more importantly, it marks a turning point in the players' self-perceptions, said coach Steve Anderson.
"I think it helps the guys understand that we're capable of winning. They understand how well we're capable of playing when we all work together."
At least half of the 80-student population was decked out in Quest green, and they were ready to scream. They pumped up their team and provided an extra boost when the game got down to the wire, said player Bryce Froberg.
"That was awesome," he said over the noise of the post-game celebrations.
"With a big crowd it gets you hyped up, it gets players playing the way they don't normally play and guys stepping up that haven't yet this year. It's a breakout game for them and we were hoping for just that."
Froberg pointed out the stellar play of brothers Kyle and Tyler Thorau, the latter of whom led the game with 26 points. According to Anderson, a key element to Quest's success was their improved rebounding. In the season's first game against Vancouver's Langara Falcons, Quest was out-rebounded 70-29. That's a huge overall loss of possession, which was reflected in a lopsided score. On Friday night, however, the boys were on the ball like banshees. Anderson describes it as improved confidence.
"It was less working on it than getting guys comfortable with competing at this level," he said. "Tonight we most likely had more rebounds, and it came from desire, hard work, and an understanding of how to compete."
Froberg said successful rebounding requires a strong will to win the ball in the face of bigger players.
"Rebounds are huge, especially when we've got guys who are six-three going up against six-six and higher. "I mean, the crowd goes crazy when a small guy gets a rebound because we shouldn't be doing it. We played with a lot of heart and heart is what got us here."
The game started out even, with the first quarter ending 21-19 for Capilano. Sunny Chen and Glenn Gravengard made strong rushes to the net for scores. Quest trailed by one point by halftime. Pure determination and the sharp 3-point shooting of Tyson Compton kept Quest from falling behind.
Meanwhile, Capilano coach Paul Eberhardt seemed caught off guard by Quest's resolve. "Get it together," he told his players. "They're working much harder than you."
In the third quarter, Tyler Thorau and Bryce Froberg made some big baskets and rebounds, while Bryan Davis and Gravengard were sidelined with ankle injuries.Quest and Capilano played evenly through the fourth quarter, but with 11 seconds left and the score tied 78-78, Capilano had a chance to ice the game with a final possession.
The Quest defence prevailed, leaving only a shot from outside the perimeter that found only rim.
In five-minute overtime, the "home team" factor came into play as fans tried to wash away their team's fatigue by shouting "we believe." Neither team was able to score through 90 seconds of play, which included a massive block by Froberg. Compton opened the scoring after sinking two foul shots followed by a smooth three-pointer by Kyle Thorau and another by brother Tyler.
Capilano was held to two points as Quest took an emotional victory 87-80.
"The guys have been really looking forward to this," said Anderson. "We played seven games on the road and this was our first home game and it was a great crowd. When the students come out to support us, families are here, people from the community - it's really awesome."
Besides Tyler Thorau's 24-point game, Gravengard earned 16 points, Tyson Compton got 14 points, and Froberg finished the game with six points and 14 rebounds.
