KELOWNA, B.C. – The UBC Okanagan Heat men's basketball team were unable to conquer the UFV Cascades on Saturday night as they closed out the 2024 portion of their schedule with a 92-75 loss at the UBCO Gymnasium.
 
The story of the night was the play of UFV guard Dario Lopez of Madrid, Spain, who went off for 33 points in the victory for the visitors. He also added nine rebounds and two assists.
 
For the Heat, the play of transfer forward DJ Frye of Ogden, Utah, was a bright spot on the night as he poured in 16 points, his most in a Heat uniform, while also adding five rebounds.
 
Jalen Shirley of Brampton, Ont., led all UBCO scorers in the contest with 17 points while Leon Schenker of Vernon, B.C., reached double figures for the third straight game, finishing with 10 points.
 
The Cascades three-point shooting proved to be the difference in the game as the connected on 12-of-27 attempts from deep, finishing at 44.4 percent.
 
The loss leaves the Heat at 3-7 for the season and in sixth place in the Canada West Pacific division at the halfway point of the year. Meanwhile, the Cascades leap ahead of the Heat as they are now 4-6 for the season.
 
UBCO will have plenty of time to rest up for the second half of the year as they don't return to the court until Friday, January 17 when they take on the Alberta Golden Bears in Edmonton. Game time is set for 7 p.m. Pacific.