HALIFAX - The University of Fraser Valley has its first victory in its first trip to the Final 8.
The fifth-seeded Cascades defeated No. 4 Lakehead Thunderwolves 83-71 in the opening game of the 50th Canadian university men's basketball championship.
Sheldon Bjorgaard of Abbotsford, B.C., scored 19 points to pace Fraser Valley, which advanced to Saturday's semifinals to face top-seeded Carleton, which beat No. 8 Acadia 82-68.
Kyle Grewal of Surrey, B.C., added 17 points, Joel Friesen of Abbotsford finished with 13, and Mike James of Winnipeg had 10.
Jasper Moedt of Abbotsford grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds.
Lakehead moves to the consolation side of the draw, marking the third consecutive first-round exit for the Thunderwolves.
A pair of American-born players -- Venzal Russell and Joseph Jones
-- scored 20 points apiece for Lakehead.
Carleton, the defending champion, was led by Philip Scrubb, who had 25 points and seven rebounds against Acadia. Tyson Hinz added 22 points and 10 rebounds.
Tyler Scott and Anthony Ashe led Acadia with 13 points apiece.
Carleton is chasing an eighth national championship in 10 seasons.
Carleton opened the game with a 10-2 run and led by 15 points at halftime. Scrubb, Canadian university basketball's top player this year, had 16 in the opening half while Hinz added 14 points.
The Ravens also prevented Acadia forward Owen Klassen from establishing a presence inside. Klassen, an AUS all-star and conference defensive player of the year, had just six points and two rebounds in the opening half.
He finished the game with nine points and eight rebounds.
