Spencer Harrison & Josh Stolar (14) battle down low

After suffering a lopsided defeat at the hands of the Red River Rebels last March in the 2009 MCAC Men’s Basketball Championship, the CMU Blazers found some retribution on Halloween afternoon in their first conference meeting since surrendering the conference trophy.

Fourth-year forward Paul Muns led the way for CMU scoring 22 points, while first-year guard Kevin Quirante impressed everyone with his speed, and added 18 in a 79-63 road victory. Rebels' Fourth-year guard, and 2008-09 conference MVP Josh Olaes responded with a team-high 27 in his team's home opener. The wire-to-wire victory moves CMU to 2-0 on the season. Head coach Darcy Coss and the Blazers recorded a massive 89-35 victory over the Collége Universitaire de Saint-Boniface Voyageurs the previous night for their first win. However, the Voyageurs have clearly been experiencing some growing pains in the program’s first year in MCAC basketball.

Kevin Quirante (11) & Josh Olaes could be the top 2 guards in the MCAC

Following an exhibition trip for both teams to Bottineau, North Dakota, the Rebels and Blazers meet again on November 14, this time at CMU, in what is sure to be an entertaining conference rubber-match between the rivals. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m.

 

By Russell Willms