It didn’t matter how the UNBC Timberwolves tried to defend the UBC Thunderbirds, for every solution, another problem would arise.
Tonight (Saturday), it came in the form of six-foot-ten Grant Shephard who’s 21 point, 13 rebound effort clinched a weekend sweep for UBC earning an 88-66 victory at the Northern Sport Centre.
The hulking third-year player from Kelowna told MyPGNow they took advantage of some favourable matchups.
“We were attacking the mismatches, last night Jadon (Cohee) did a really good job of shooting the ball and they looked to take that away tonight, which made the bigs a little more open to get inside and they didn’t seem to have an answer for that.”
“On film, we saw a huge hole in their 2-3, it looked like the middle guys were on an island so I thought I would take a quick seal in there and I saw the lane.”
POSTGAME: Following a 21 point, 13 rebound performance, @ubctbirds forward Grant Shephard talks about his team’s effort in an 88-66 @CanadaWest win over @UNBCBasketball pic.twitter.com/EFAPO7Zy5w
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) November 17, 2019
UBC (4-2) also torched the Timberwolves from beyond the arch going 11-for-31 (35.5%) with Manroop Clair responsible for four of those.
The Thunderbirds led by 24 at recess and coasted to another victory.
For UNBC, Tyrell Laing was the lone spark plug offensively with 22 points who now drop to 3-3 on the year.
After the game, fifth-year Timberwolves player Anthony Hokanson spoke with MyPGNow who said it was important for the team’s young nucleus to keep fighting.
“It was really good to see the young guys always competing. I know it’s hard sometimes in “garbage time” to stay competitive, but I was really proud of how the young guys showed out during their time on the court today.”
POSTGAME: @AnthonyHokanson talks about @UNBCBasketball‘s 88-66 loss to the @ubctbirds tonight, dropping the TWolves’ @CanadaWest record to 3-3. pic.twitter.com/sQF5jgLCuB
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) November 17, 2019
In women’s action, UNBC fell 80-62 against UBC.
The absence of Emma vanBruinessen proved to be a big loss as Thunderbirds forward Keylyn Filewich had her way in the paint with a double-double consisting of 24 points and 17 rebounds.
The Timberwolves trailed 42-23 at halftime and were unable to get any closer due to foul trouble for players like Alina Shakirova and Cevanna Carlson who had four each.
“They’re a really good team,” said UNBC captain Emily Holmes, postgame. “Our defense wasn’t quite as aggressive. We didn’t have quite as much energy tonight, and I think that’s why they outscored us.”
POSTGAME: @UNBCWomensBball Captain @EmilyHolmes15 talks about her team’s efforts in a tough 80-62 loss to @UBCWBBall in @CanadaWest play. pic.twitter.com/ESUW01kMo9
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) November 17, 2019
The second quarter saw more from the T-Birds as Filewich, Tanis Metcalfe, and Madison Legault gave the home team problems on the glass, creating second chance scoring opportunities who out rebounded UNBC 50-34 overall, while scoring 46 points in the paint.
Thunderbirds fifth-year guard Jessica Hanson said the effort was more indicative of the team’s talent.
“We just talked about playing our own game, and I don’t think last night was a good showing at all of what we can do.”
“It was definitely an improvement from last night, so just taking small steps forward and focusing on our game.”
The UNBC women drop to 2-4 on the season while UBC is 3-3.
A trip to Kamloops awaits the Timberwolves next weekend when they play Thompson Rivers.
POSTGAME: @UBCWBBall‘s Jessica Hanson, fresh off a 16 point, 6 rebound, 5 assist performance, talks about her team’s effort in an 80-62 win over @UNBCWomensBball. pic.twitter.com/WUMdug90Mi
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) November 17, 2019