CARONPORT -- The Briercrest College Clippers men’s basketball team seemed like a team of destiny all season long, and on Saturday night, they lived up to that billing.
The Clippers roared out to a 20-8 lead in the first quarter and never looked back in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference championship final against the Keyano Huskies, going on to a 79-73 victory at Margaret P. Reimer gymnasium in Caronport.
As one might expect, the first-ever men’s basketball championship was a special moment for the Clippers and their fans, and here’s how it looked:
FULL TIME: THE CLIPPERS ARE YOUR 2025 ACAC MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS! 🏆
— ACAC (@ACAC_Sport) March 2, 2025
Congratulations to the Briercrest Clippers on a stellar season and gold medal win! pic.twitter.com/QDMz0qEsmY
Briercrest took a 9-0 lead out of the first three minutes, and after Keyano closed to within three with 4:05 remaining in the opening quarter, the Clippers put together another nine-point run to build their 12-point lead.
The edge hovered around seven to nine points much of the second quarter, and while the Huskies would get back to within four with 33 seconds until half, Briercrest would go into the break with a 38-32 lead.
By the time the third quarter had come to an end, the Clippers led 60-50, and while Keyano put together a furious comeback in the final minute of the game, they wouldn’t get any closer than six, and Briercrest had their 79-73 win.
Jude Shepherd-Hills led Briercrest with 20 points, while Francis Dogani scored 15 and Carter Waind 13. Zach Martens had 10 rebounds in the game, and Oroma Bongomin contributed 10 points off the bench.
Omeechi Williams and Keenen Caribou each had 23 points for Keyano.
The season isn’t over for the two teams yet -- both the Briercrest Clippers and Keyano Huskies will be off to Saint-Laurent, Que. for the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association national championships from Mar. 11-15.
Be sure to keep an eye on www.ccaa.ca for schedules closer to the day.
