This was the moment Andy Kwaitkowski had been waiting for his entire collegiate career. With his top-seeded University of Western Ontario Mustangs down by two points late in the final game against the University of Alberta, the ball went to him. Unfortunately, Kwaitkowski, the CIS player of the year, threw the ball, and subsequently the game, into the hands of the Golden Bears. Steven Parker intercepted the pass and took it the length of the court for a dunk that sealed the Mustangs’ fate. Alberta went on to take the game 76-71.
For Kwaitkowski, it was the end of an outstanding collegiate career. He led all scorers with 25 points, including 14 in the final 12 minutes, to lead Western in a furious comeback from an eight-point deficit.
The senior finished with 17 points and was named tournament MVP. Mike Melnychuk also contributed 17 points for Alberta, coming off the bench on six of 10 shooting including 3 of 3 from beyond the arc.
Don Horwood captured his third championship with Alberta, putting him in an elite group amongst CIS coaches.
“I’m so proud of our guys,” he said following the victory. “We played maybe our best game of the year.” He said of Parker, “He put on a show here. I’m so proud of him.”
Western came out flying in the first half, opening on a 9-2 run. Alas, the OUA champions let their opponents back into the game and the Bears held a 38-37 halftime lead.
Alberta nearly missed out on the tournament after being upset by Victoria in the Canada West semi-finals. However, they qualified for the CIS tournament on a wild-card berth and played well in wins over St. Mary’s and York to reach the finals. The Mustangs defeated Victoria and Laval before falling to the Bears.
