BURNABY, B.C. - The SFU Clan hosted the Notre Dame de Namur Argonauts for their season opener and scored a thrilling 74-70 comeback victory in the West Gym at Simon Fraser University.

Justin Brown suited up for his first game after missing the whole pre-season due to injury.

"We didn't play very well in the first half, we played selfish basketball. At halftime, Coach Blake told us to we had to start playing together and that's what we did, it paid off in the second half," said Brown.  

He finished the game with 23 points while shooting 11-15 from the free throw line.

The tough full-court defence employed by NDNU put pressure on the Clan early, forcing SFU to shoot only 11% from the beyond the arc in the first half. They also struggled from the free-throw line online shooting 40 per cent.

SFU got into foul trouble half way through the first half, giving away points to the Argonauts.

NDNU finished the half with an 11-point lead. NDNU's Trent Henwood led the Argonauts with seven points and four rebounds.

In the second half the Clan played inspired basketball.  

After trailing by as much as 18, an 8-0 run around the 12-minute mark was the catalyst for the Clan's comeback as Connor Lewis and Brown hit back-to-back three pointers.

Two other three point plays by Ibrahim Appiah (Montreal) and Javari Williams (Brampton) brought SFU within three.  

At the seven minute mark, John Bantock hit a key three to tie the game at 53 apiece. It was the first time SFU was not trailing in the game.

Josh Pettit answered Bantock's three-pointer by scoring the next six points, reclaiming NDNU lead.

From there Justin Brown took over by hitting a clutch three before Javari Williams stole the ball and slammed it down for a two point lead with just under a minute to go.

Then Matt Raivio sealed the deal by hitting key free throws with seconds remaining to put the game away.

Williams finished the game with 25 points and 11 rebounds for the Clan while NDNU's Wesley White finished with 18 points and nine rebounds.

SFU will hit the road next week before returning home on the November 23 to take on Capilano University in the West Gym. Tickets are $2 for students, youth, and seniors, and are available by emailing tickets@sfu.ca or at the door one hour before game time.