Abbotsford, BC – The UFV Cascades saw a 15-point lead evaporate in the fourth quarter, but found a way to hold on for the 83-80 victory on Friday over the UBC Okanagan Heat. The result sees both teams move to 2-3 on the season.

As it happened: 
With the score tied at 14 with under three minutes to go in the first, UFV exploded for 13 of the next 15 points to take a 27-16 advantage into the second.

The Cascades continued to score in the second, and back-to-back buckets from Matthias Klim pushed the lead to as many as 18. UFV increased that margin to 20 in the third, before heading into the final frame with a 15-point lead.

An Arpan Singh triple once again put the Cascades up 18 with 7:48 remaining, but the momentum started to change for the Heat. After Elan Kimpton-Cuellar hit a pair of free throws, UFV's Matthias Klim picked up his fifth foul and was forced to leave the game. UBCO took advantage of the Cascades being in foul trouble to get themselves back in it, hitting seven more free throws down the stretch, and a Kimpton-Cuellar jumper with two minutes left made it a one-point ball game.

The Cascades got a pair of late free throws from Dylan Kinley and Singh to make it 83-80, and with three seconds left rookie Marcus Flores came up with a steal on the inbound to seal the win for UFV.

Top performers: 
Dylan Kinley led UFV with 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the game.  Arpan Singh and Matthias Klim each added 16 points off the bench, while Jake Willemsen had 11 points and four boards.

Jalen Shirley had 20 points for the Heat, while Gavin Ashworth (19), Kimpton-Cuellar (14), and Leon Schenker (13) all scored in double digits for the Heat.

Quotable:
Cascades forward Matthias Klim

"It feels great to get my touch back. Being able to step-back and hit those shots it feels amazing. I just have to let the way I practice dictate the way I play during these games, so I have to come in every day with the same intensity and the benefits will show."

"This has playoff implications, so we have to play like it's a playoff game. We can't let an early lead go away again, but it's something to learn from. It's about building from that and coming into tomorrow."

Up next:
The Cascades host the Heat once again on Saturday at the UFV Athletic Centre. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m., and UFV Students attend for free with a valid student ID. Tickets can be purchased online at gocascades.ca/tickets, and the game can also be seen live on canadawest.tv.