The UNBC Timberwolves men’s basketball team needed someone not named Vova Pluzhnikov or Tyrell Laing to fly the flag.
Enter Chris Ross.
The third-year-player from North Vancouver had a field day against the Trinity Western Spartans as his team-high 19 points paced the T-Wolves to a thrilling 96-88 victory at the Northern Sports Centre on Saturday.
“It was great. Buzzer to buzzer, we had a great game today,” said Ross, postgame.
“We had a good first half and a good second half, so that was great to see. Usually, we have more ups and downs, but I thought our consistency was good today.”
Hardest working guy in @CanadaWest
Chris Ross talks after @UNBCBasketball‘s 96-88 win over the @TWUSpartans pic.twitter.com/rnsBljYWCe
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) February 20, 2022
Ross came out firing in the opening quarter, converting on all three shots he attempted.
However, both teams shared the momentum ending the first in a 20-20 deadlock.
Before the end of the half, leading scorer Tyrell Laing made a long three, and the inside duo of Fareed Shittu and Spencer Ledoux got to work in the paint combining for 31 points.
Shittu brought the fans at the NSC out of their seats towards the end of the third quarter, who gathered a loose ball, elevated, and hammered a two-handed poster dunk over Spartans centre Andrew Goertzen.
“I was thinking I wanted to hype my guys up on the bench. I had a poster a few weeks ago in Trinity Western, and I saw them on the bench going crazy, but I didn’t see it until afterwards,” said Shittu, of his monster dunk.
“I wanted to make sure I got to my bench and got hyped with my guys.”
FAREED SHITTU dominates the paint! @UNBCBasketball
Score 75-66 at the end of the third quarter against @TWUSpartans pic.twitter.com/pLx9lk1Y3C
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) February 20, 2022
Despite being in control for most of the fourth quarter, the Spartans fought back thanks to the duo of Mason Bourcier and JaQualyn Gilbreath, who is the Canada West leading scorer and recorded a game-high 36 points in defeat.
However, the Timberwolves stayed poised long enough to maintain control, and held on.
The Spartans conclude their season with an 8-10 record, while the T-Wolves improve to 6-11, with the Victoria Vikes on the schedule to round of their Canada West regular season slate.
In women’s action, the Timberwolves scratched and clawed for four quarters but were unable to dethrone the top-ranked Trinity Western Spartans, dropping an 81-75 decision.
Hailey Van Roekel proved to be the difference maker for TWU going 7-for-10 on field goals while posting a game-high 20 points.
“I took the shots my coach wanted me to take. She is always talking about taking the right shots and not forcing it,” said Van Roekel.
“My teammates were looking for me, so I really appreciate my teammates.”
20 points on 7-of-10 shooting for @TWUSpartans forward Hailey Van Roekel…Hear from her after TWU’s narrow 81-75 win over @UNBCWomensBball pic.twitter.com/Lf1jqyeoM5
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) February 19, 2022
Alina Shakirova posted a team-high 17 points for UNBC while Anastasia Soltes recorded 16 points off the bench.
The Spartans improve to 15-3 while the T-Wolves drop to 7-8.
UNBC hosts Fraser Valley (14-2) for a pair of rescheduled home games Wednesday and Thursday at 6pm from the Northern Sports Centre.
Lucy Guan finds Baby Shak for the layup
Good one happening in PG pic.twitter.com/p9cn5AEyrJ
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) February 19, 2022