Pluzhnikov’s buzzer beater gives UNBC MBB sweep over Spartans

With the clock ticking down, Vova Pluzhinikov took matters into his own hands and put the UNBC Timberwolves men’s basketball team on his back.

His buzzer-beating shot gave the T-Wolves a dramatic 88-86 victory over the Trinity Western Spartans (0-4) in Langley on Saturday.

MUST WATCH! With less than ten seconds to go, and the game tied at 86-86, the Ukraine Maker @VovaPluzhnikov did this! pic.twitter.com/9j9RZzpxEd

— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) November 10, 2019

Pluzhnikov played all 40 minutes and recorded 18 points.

His teammate Tyrell Laing had a game-high 23 points for UNBC.

Jack Nadelhoffer had 26 points in defeat for TWU.

The Timberwolves improve to 3-1 on the season.

On Friday, UNBC outlasted the Spartans 100-87 where Pluzhnikov potted 26 points.

Laing put up 23 more while Spencer Ledoux and rookie Fareed Shittu 14 points each.

Fareed Shittu is figuring out this @CanadaWest basketball thing. The freshman goes and gets this alley-oop for @UNBCBasketball, on a dish from @VovaPluzhnikov! #gotwolves pic.twitter.com/Kn1KQXLKvr

— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) November 9, 2019

In women’s action, the Timberwolves split a pair against Trinity Western.

Madison Landry led the way with a 20-point effort giving UNBC a 70-62 victory from the Langley Events Centre on Friday.

Maria Mongomo, Emma vanBruinessen and Alina Shakirova also dipped into the double-digits.

The Spartans fought back on Saturday with a 63-52 triumph.

Nicole Fransson shouldered the load for Trinity Western (1-3) with 26 points while Shakirova recorded 18 points in defeat for the T-Wolves who also drop to 1-3.

Both varsity teams are back at the Northern Sport Centres Friday and Saturday against the UBC Thunderbirds.