Golden Bears Basketball find home-opener win under new head coach

The Geoff Pippus era began with a win. The University of Alberta Golden Bears fought off a comeback push from Mount Royal University (MRU) to take their home opener 77-69 Friday night at the Saville Centre.

It wasn’t pretty, but it didn’t need to be. Frequent fouls from both teams slowed play, however the pace on the ground was fast. A team returning nearly every piece from last year’s lineup looked calm under pressure and found ways to close out a tight game, which was something they struggled with a season ago.

Fourth-year forward Ethan Egert was everywhere. He finished with 13 points and 15 rebounds, pounding the glass and keeping second-chance opportunities alive. Standout guard Isaac Simon matched him with 13 points of his own, while guard Matthew Osunde added 11 with a trio of three pointers. Nate Waldron and Fahad Yusuf each chipped in eight, with Waldron picking up six rebounds.

The Bears shot 45 per cent from the floor, compared to MRU’s 31 per cent. They also won the rebounding battle 43-38 and moved the ball with patience when it mattered. The stat sheet wasn’t perfect, 18 turnovers is still too many. However, the energy felt steadier than it did last year, and the Bears looked in control.

Alberta led 41-35 at halftime, briefly lost its rhythm in the third quarter, then found another gear late. The Cougars tied it midway through the second half, but a late burst from the Bears, capped by an electric Caden Kushnir dunk, swung momentum back. With 20 seconds left, Logan Powell buried a corner three while getting fouled, hitting the free throw to seal it.

It’s been a long time since the Bears opened the season with this much optimism. After finishing 10-10 last year and falling to Thompson Rivers University in the playoffs, they entered this season ranked sixth in Canada West. What’s different this year is continuity. Thirteen of fourteen players are back, including all five starters. That kind of familiarity can turn close games into wins, and it showed on opening night.

Simon remains as the offensive engine. The fourth-year guard averaged 19.2 points per game last season and spent the summer with the Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), earning the league’s Developmental Player of the Year award. With his experience and leadership, the Bears have a legitimate go-to scorer and a chance to make noise in a deep conference.

Pippus, a former Golden Bear himself and a member of the 2017 championship team, inherits a roster that’s both talented and seasoned. He comes from a successful run with the Camosun Chargers and brings a reputation for defense, structure, and player development. Early signs suggest the team has already bought in.

The schedule won’t get easier, but Alberta’s foundation looks solid. Friday’s game showed growth in poise, rebounding, and late-game composure, which are small things that matter in the playoffs.

It’s early, but this team already feels more mature, more connected, and maybe, finally, ready to turn potential into results.