Tough tour of Alberta for men's Heat

The Heat men’s basketball team returned from Alberta with a sour taste in their mouths after winning one of the four games they played.

A few hours after landing in Edmonton on Thursday, September 30, the Heat were on the court against one of the top programs in Canada West, the University of Alberta Golden Bears.

The Heat quickly fell behind as the Bears started the game on a 22-4 run.

The visiting team rebounded well and climbed right back into the game as both teams were tied at 38 at the half.

A bad start to the second half allowed the Bears to run away with the game, extending the lead to 20 just before the end of the frame.

The game finished with UBC Okanagan losing 81-69.

Friday night the Heat found themselves in the home gym of national preseason favourite the NAIT Ooks.

The Heat started out sluggish against the very athletic Ooks turning the ball over 18 times in the first half as the Ooks earned a 49-20 lead at the half.

UBC Okanagan led by player of the game Simon Pelland, 16 points, and point guard Alex Roth, 20 points, fought back to make the final score 97-71.

Saturday night the Heat faced the Concordia Thunder and came away victorious with an 89-78 victory.

Fourth year point guard Alex Roth was named Heat player of the game as he scored 17 points, Simon Pelland also dropped 17 points on the Thunder as he went 8-10 from the field.

The Heat played their fourth game in as many days as they faced a young and hungry host team, the MacEwan Griffins.

This game was the third in three days for the Griffin’s and both teams struggled to shoot as fatigue played a part in the outcome.

The Heat shot 30% from the field for the game and 25% from three point land.

Alex Roth was named Heat player of the game with 19 points, Kyle Gabelhei, a freshman guard out of Mount Boucherie chipped in with 11 points.

Despite the results, coach Semeniuk is still pleased with his team.

“This group is pretty much where I thought they would be. There were moments of excellence, and also moments of disaster. At this point of the season, we have to make sure we keep a positive perspective. I thought we took away some very valuable lessons, as well as obtained some direction and focus for our training and practices,” says Gabelhei.

The Heat host the Lethbridge Kodiaks this Friday night at Kelowna Secondary at 7:00 p.m. On Saturday the Heat face the same Kodiaks at UBC Okanagan at 7:00 p.m.