VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C. – Trailing by six points with 40 seconds remaining, Vancouver Island University stormed back to shock the NCU men’s basketball team on Saturday night, 103-102.
Propelling the team to a split of the season-opening two-game set, VIU scored 38 fourth-quarter points, shooting 11-for-14 from the field to come back.
Senior Austin Tyner (pictured) led the charge for the Beacons, tying a career-high with 29 points on 11-for-17 shooting before fouling out. Shawn Carson also fouled out, but not before filling the stat sheet with eight points, ten rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocked shots. Reece Robinson added a strong shooting performance of his own, shooting 9-for-14 from the floor for 22 points.
All five starters were in double figures for Vancouver Island, led by 27 from Harry Fayle and 23 from Tyus Barfoot.
After the game, head coach Eddie Alexander said, “It is always tough to lose by a point in any game but we have to be better defensively to not give up a lead when we are in control. VIU was a great opponent for us to play early in the season, presenting us with a difficult road trip and bringing many hard match-ups for us. We will get much better playing a tough non-league schedule this season, which will prove very valuable.”
The Beacons will be back on the court next Friday as they open up play in the Bill Holtz Warrior Classic at William Jessup University. NCU takes on Menlo in the opening game and will play the tourney hosts on Saturday.