LETHBRIDGE, Alberta – Ryan Imhoff had 28 points and 11 rebounds and Match Burnham scored 23, including 19 in the first half, to lead Carroll College men's basketball to a 74-68 win over the University of Alberta in a season-opening, neutral-site match in Lethbridge, Alberta, Friday evening.
"This was an extremely physical, hard fought affair, and I was impressed by the Fighting Saints' resolve," head coach Carson Cunningham said. "We just kept coming. Fortunately, we were able to pull out a 74-68 win. Some in the States might not realize it, but top-level Canadian hoops is good, and this Alberta team is strong. Match Burnham almost broke an international fire code he got so hot in the first half. Ryan Imhoff was very powerful and super-efficient throughout."
Carroll was 26-53 (49.1 percent) from the field while holding the Golden Bears to just 23-70 (32.9 percent). The Saints edged Alberta 42-37 in rebounding but had 21 turnovers to Alberta's 14.
Zach Taylor joined Imhoff and Burnham in double figures with 13 points. Three Golden Bears scored in double-figures, led by Austin Waddoups with 16 points.
The two teams battle much of the first quarter. Alberta built a 22-17 lead with 1:59 left in the frame, before the Saints closed out the quarter with a 7-0 run to take a 24-22 lead after the first quarter.
The Saints kept the momentum going in the second quarter and built a 44-36 lead at the half.
Alberta took control early in the third quarter and took a 47-46 lead on a jumper from Mamadou Gueya with 6:30 left in the frame. They would close on 13-8 run to take a 60-54 lead into the final quarter.
The fourth would belong to the Fighting Saints. Buckets from Taylor, Burnham and Imhoff would spur a 16-3 run that put the Saints up 72-63 with 3:04 to play. An Alberta 3-pointer would cut the lead to 72-66 with 16 seconds remaining but Imhoff put an emphatic end to the Golden Bear comeback with a dunk with just 10 seconds remaining.
Alberta added a basket with two ticks left but it wouldn't matter as Carroll closed out the 74-68 win.
The win was another milestone for the Saints as they continue to improve as a program. For Cunningham it was a symbol of how far Carroll has come in his fourth season.
"Alberta beat us by 33 points in my first year at Carroll," Cunningham said. "We're all grateful to have been able to find a way to win this one now."
Defense was a big part of the Saint's win. Carroll held standout fourth-year player Gueye to just nine points on 2-of-8 shooting from the field.
"Several fellas, led by Ife Kalejaiye, did a fantastic job guarding Alberta's standout wing, Mamadou Gueye," Cunningham said. "I'm happy for the players. Now it's time to get ready for the next one."
Carroll opens the season 1-0 while the Golden Bears are now 6-2 in their preseason schedule. The Saints close out the weekend in Canada with a game against the University of Lethbridge Saturday at 5 p.m.
