By Jadon Frank

Briecrest College kicked off the 2012-13 ACAC Championships with a 100-84 come from behind win over the University of Alberta, Augustana and will now play in the second semi-final game Saturday, March 2 at 8:00 pm. The winner of each semi-final will automatically qualify for the CCAA National Championship tournament.

Augustana scored the first baskets of the game building a 4-0 lead before a James Wohlgeschaffen basket 2:24 into the first quarter. Briercrest finally tied the game 6-6 at 3:11 into the quarter. Briercrest and Augustana were playing different styles with Briercrest playing an up tempo game while Augustana attempted the long range shots to start the game. Briercrest got their first lead of the game at 10-9 at the 5:54 mark off free throws from Kendell Boese. It was a back and forth game with the teams exchanging the lead and Briercrest taking a 14-11 lead off two great drives from Caleb Klassen. Briercrest maintained a slim lead before Augustana’s Danderfer was fouled at on a three-point shot for the rare four-point play to bring Augustana ahead 22-20. Augustana was able to add another jumper to get a 24-20 lead after one quarter.

In the second quarter, Augustana continued where they left off building a 31-20 lead before a Matt Myers three re-ignited the Briercrest offense. Augustana got the next basket before Briercrest went on a 5-3 run to bring the score to 35-28 when Briercrest took a timeout with just over four minutes remaining in the first half. Boese sunk a quick bucket coming out of the timeout to bring the score to 35-30 and forcing an Augustana timeout. Wohlgeschaffen hit both free throws coming out of the timeout to cut the lead to three, but Augustana came right back with a basket of their own. Heads up plays by Klassen and Wohlgschaffen brought the score to 37-36 for Augustana before Augustana went on a 6-2 run to end the quarter and take a 43-38 lead into halftime.

Briercrest came out of half-time and got the first basket to cut the lead to 43-41, before Augustana responded and brought the score back to 48-41. Briercrest then pushed back with strong defense and quickly went on a run to tie the score 48-48 and then took the lead at 52-50 off of an athletic steal and bucket by Wohlgeschaffen. Briercrest added to their lead forcing a Augustana timeout with Briercrest leading 61-55. Briercrest came out of the timeout with great defense and the n a quick score to increase the lead to 63-55. Briercrest continued to push the pace, forcing Augustana into fouls and turnovers and went on a 10-6 run, two coming off free throws to end the quarter, to end the quarter with a 73-61 lead. Briercrest outscored Augustana 35-18 in the third quarter.

Boese had a quick drive and score to begin the fourth quarter to extend the Briercrest lead to 75-61. Briercrest continued their run extending the lead to 79-61 and forcing an Augustana timeout. Augustana finally scored their first point of the quarter at 7:12 with two free-throws. Augustana pushed back and cut the lead to 90-79 before a Christian Sacoman three-pointer forced Augustana into another timeout with the score 93-79. Briercrest went on to win the game 100-84.

After being outscored 24-20 and 19-18 in the first half, Briercrest outscored Augustana 35-18 and 27-23 in the third and fourth quarters.

Coach Adrian was proud of how the team responded in the second half.

“The men played hard tonight to earn their first playoff win in the ACAC Championships,” Adrian said. “It was a challenging game in the first half, as we were down by five points, but rallied back and scored 35 points in the third quarter.  Defense made the difference in the second half with Player of the Game Caleb Klassen getting three steals and led the team with seven assists to go along with his 11 points.  Kendell Boese had a big game shooting 53% and finished with 24 points and six assists.  Gradyn Childerhose had another solid game with 21 points and 14 rebounds.  Matt Myers and James Wohlgeschaffen each added 15 points and six rebounds.  As a team we only had 14 turnovers and because of our slow start we scored .86 points per possession.”

“Our focus tonight was given to me by Dwight Tonn (Clipper teammate of mine), ‘remember the #1 is only a label from other 'men' whose view in the end doesn't matter.  Who are you in God's eyes and what does He demand of you?’  Micah 6:8   ‘He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’”

Players of the game were Augustana’s Shayn Bruney and Briercrest’s Caleb Klassen who piloted the Briercrest offense with his speed and poise.

Game notes: Briercrest led  the way with 12 assists, and 10 steals to Augustana’s 12 and five. Each team had 44 rebounds, with Briercrest holding the edge on defensive rebounds with 31 and Augustana holding the edge on offense with 14. Both teams shot well from the field, with Briercrest holding the slight edge hitting 37 of 79, for 46.8%, with Augustana shooting 43.6%. Both teams hit seven three-pointers, with Briercrest only attempting 14 to Augustana’s 23. Augustana was perfect on their nine free-throws, while Briercrest was 19 for 22.

Briercrest leaders were Kendell Boese with a game high 24 points and six assists, Caleb Klassen with a game high three steals, and Gradyn Childerhose with a game high 14 rebounds to go with 21 points. Matt Myers had a game high four three-point shots on six attempts.

Briercrest will face host Keyano in the second semi-final tomorrow, Saturday, March 2 at 8:00 pm local time. The winners of the semi-finals play for the gold medal on Sunday and are guaranteed a spot at the CCAA National Championship, while the loser will play for a bronze medal Sunday afternoon.

Follow the games online at SportsCanada.tv. Also, be sure to "like" Briercrest Basketball for photos and updates.