The University of the Fraser Valley men's basketball team dropped three exhibition games against American junior college foes at the Cactus Jam tournament in Phoenix, Ariz. last week.
The Cascades, ranked No. 6 in the CIS national poll, ran a conditioning camp during their six-day trip while also participating in the tourney. They resume Canada West regular season play on the weekend of Jan. 11-12, when they host the Saskatchewan Huskies and the Alberta Golden Bears.
Last Friday, the UFV men fell 103-75 to the Cochise College Apaches, the defending Arizona league champs. Jordan Blackman paced the Cascades with 19 points, while Sam Freeman (13) and Luke Morris (11) also scored in double figures.
On Saturday the Cascades dropped a 74-64 decision to the South Mountain College Cougars as Blackman led UFV in scoring for a second straight night with 19 points. Kyle Grewal chipped in with a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds) while Freeman scored 10 points.
In their finale on Sunday the Cascades lost 70-53 to the host Phoenix College Bears, despite 12 points apiece from Kevon Parchment and Aaron McGowan. Blackman chipped in with nine points to finish the tourney with a team-high 15.7 points per game average.