Abbotsford, BC – Chris Jackson stepped on the floor for a Canada West basketball game for the first time since February 17, 2023, and helped guide his UFV Cascades to a 90-58 win over the UNBC Timberwolves on Friday night in Abbotsford.

Jackson, who returned from a knee injury that has kept him sidelined, looked to be in mid-season form as he led the Cascades in both points and rebounds off the bench in his first minutes this season. 

The win moves UFV to 5-6 on the season, while UNBC drops to 1-8 in the campaign.

How it happened:
UNBC got off to a strong start, and an Isaiah Bias triple gave the visitors a six-point lead late in the opening frame, but UFV answered back with buckets from Jackson and Takeshi Croke to cut the deficit to just two. 

The teams traded points in the early portion of the second, but with the score level at 28, Vince Velasquez hit a jumper and a three to put the Cascades up by five and the hosts would carry that lead into the break.

UFV took control in the third, with Jackson going 5-5 from the free throw line, and Dario Lopez chipping in nine points in the quarter. A steal and bucket by Croke late in the frame gave the Cascades a 24-point advantage heading into the fourth, and the team cruised from there to the 32-point victory. 
 

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Notable:
Jackson scored 15 points and 11 rebounds, while also adding two blocks and three steals in 21 minutes to lead UFV. 

The Cascades had six players score in double digits, and ten players with points on the night. 

UFV grabbed 60 rebounds, compared to just 35 from the Timberwolves. 

Quotable:
UFV guard/ forward Chris Jackson

"[Tonight] felt like a real out of body experience. I haven't felt that in a while, and it felt great just to play with the guys again. Loved it."

"We're just close. We've bonded over the years, and we just became a family. We trust each other, and with me joining here they just trusted in me whether it was my first game back or not, and I'm just glad I was able to contribute."

"I never stopped working on a lot of stuff, and I had to prepare myself for the comeback. I just believe in myself and what I can do. Now I'm going to recover, and then tomorrow, I'm just going to do whatever I can. I'm not worried about scoring or anything specific, it's just whatever I can focus on to help at the moment – I'm going to figure it out and do it."

UFV head coach Joe Enevoldson on Jackson's return

"I've seen the work that he's put in in terms of rehab, the highs and lows of it emotionally. I'm just happy for him as a human being first and foremost that he can go out and play at a really high level after such a significant setback. It really speaks to his character."

"He could have packed it up and went home at any time, but he stuck with us -- and we stuck with him, and I think both he and us are going to see the fruits of his labour."

Up next:
The Cascades return to action on Saturday afternoon, as they take on the TRU WolfPack at 5pm at the UFV Athletic Centre. The game can also be seen live on Canada West TV.

Cascades home games offer free admission for UFV students with their student card. You can keep up with all the action at gocascades.ca, or by following the UFV Cascades on social media at @ufvcascades