The #1 seed Providence University College (PUC) Pilots defended their title and finished off a undefeated season with a second consecutive Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC) Men’s Basketball Championship title in front of a loud, packed Loewen Athletic Centre in Winnipeg..
The Pilots earned a thrilling 66-62 comeback victory over #2 seed Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) Blazers on Sunday, February 12, 2023 in the Championship Final.
With the victory, Providence captures the men’s basketball conference championship title for a fifth time (2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2021-22, 2022-23).
After a tight 38-37 halftime lead by the host, the second half was another nail biter as both teams traded leads right until the last minute. The champs scored the last five points and held CMU to nothing in final three minutes of play.
Player of the Game for the Championship Final was fourth year guard Joshua Armstrong. He had game-high 19 points and has been part of past two winning championship teams. “It feels so good to win back-to-back. We capitalized on our regular season and worked hard. We were disciplined on defence at the end and feels amazing to end my last game in MCAC with a championship and Player of the Game.”
During the regular season, the Pilots went 8-0 regular season and Pierre Dubreuil, PUC’s head coach, enthused, “This is a blessing to be undefeated in MCAC this year. CMU played hard and we stepped up in the end as weplayed several games this year that were close in the last minute and we knew how to step it up. What a finish.”
Providence had scoring also from Emmanuel Oleko with 12 points while CMU’s Ezra Leano led his squad with 16 points and Braden Fernandez added 10 points.
CMU’s head coach Scott Martin stated after a 4-4 regular season and 1-1 post-season, “It was a great atmosphere tonight and could not ask for any more with both teams having a chance with three minutes to go. I am very proud of the effort of the team and had an opportunity down the stretch.”
2023 MCAC Men’s Basketball Championship
Hosted by: Canadian Mennonite University (CMU); Central Time listed
Friday, February 10
8 p.m.Semi Final: #2 CMU Blazers 97 #3 USB Les Rouges 96 (OT)
Sunday, February 12
8 p.m.Men’s Championship Final: #1 PUC Pilots 66 #2 CMU Blazers 62