Burnaby, BC – The Simon Fraser University men's basketball team fell 112-84 to Central Washington Saturday night in a Valentine's Day clash in West Gym.
 
It was also the Clan's annual Senior Night, honouring the careers of Simon Fraser's three graduating seniors, Sango Niang, Justin Cole and Daniel Deflorimonte.
 
The opening portion of the game saw the two teams trade leads several times, before Central Washington was able to calm the play down and take control.
 
"It was a clunker of a game," said head coach James Blake. "It didn't seem like anything we could do would work. We were sloppy offensively and never found a good flow on the attack."
 
Central Washington controlled the pace throughout the second half, effectively shutting down the Clan's output, and outscoring the home side 47-37 in the period.
 
Ultimately the Clan were not able to recover from their slow first half, falling 112-84 and dropping to 5-10 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
"I think the emotions of senior night and the emotions of the last home game affected us," Blake continued. "Central was a hungry team looking to improve on where they were going to finish in the standings and we didn't do a good job of containing them.
 
The Clan's three seniors have three final games of their collegiate careers remaining, all on the road, in the next two weeks.
 
In the words of coach Blake, each of the seniors brought a different flavour to the team, and will be fondly remembered as members of the Clan.
 
Daniel Deflorimonte – Nickname: Grampa
 
"The most resilient person I have coached in my 5 years at SFU. He has been determined to get his degree in Communications from SFU and he has done it! I am so proud of his effort in the classroom. He told me 4 years ago that he will get his degree and he will be the first in his family to get a university degree and he did it. On the court Daniel has matured and learned how to run a system and be part of a team. He has a good work ethic, and he will take that work ethic and his degree into the world and be a great citizen. I will miss making fun of Grampa in shoot arounds before games."
 
Justin Cole – Nickname: jjjjj cole
 
" Justin has never had a bad day in his life. He is always smiling and he is always so positive. I will miss his smile in practice every day and his youthful no stress attitude towards life. Justin has been an unbelievable basketball player for the clan for the last two seasons and an even better person. He is one of the best shooters in the league and he should be very proud of his college career because I sure am. Justin will go on after SFU to be a great at whatever he wants to do because he has the right attitude. I look forward to seeing where basketball takes him next, but even more importantly where he takes that amazing positive personality. All I got to say is yeeeeeeeeeeeep"
 
Sango Niang - Nick Name:  Mr. Clutch
 
" I can remember my first conversation with Sango when I watched his YouTube footage like it was yesterday. He had 3 back to back to back dunks and I was like dam who the heck is this little guy! He has been the best player I have coached since we came into the NCAA. If you need a play or a big basket he is the man for the job. I will miss coaching Sango because he has the heart of a Lion. Sango has an unbelievable work ethic, and I look forward to seeing where he ends up in basketball and in life. It will be impossible to replace Sango because he is such a unique player and human being. I wish Sango the best and I will truly miss coaching him."