If the UNBC Timberwolves men’s basketball team wants to become elite, they need to cut down on mental errors and slow starts.
The T-Wolves dropped a pair of spirited games against the Canada West-leading Manitoba Bisons, falling 98-87 on Friday and 80-70 on Saturday at the Northern Sport Centre.
UNBC had no answer for first-year star Simon Hildebrandt in the first game of the doubleheader posting a game-high 27 points, going 8-for-17 on field goals.
Simon Hildebrandt talks after his 27 point effort in a 98-87 @umbisons win over the UNBC Timberwolves pic.twitter.com/4jPH8kW2Uj
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) January 7, 2023
Less than 24 hours later (Saturday), Mason Kraus pulled up his socks for Manitoba notching 23 points, including a 4-for-9 performance from long range.
A big story over the teams was the points scored inside the paint with the Bisons outsourcing the Timberwolves in that category by a combined margin of 90-66.
Micha Jessie was the leading scorer for UNBC on both nights scoring a team-high 19 points in each game.
The Timberwolves drop to 5-5, while Manitoba improves to a conference-best 9-1.
In women’s action, UNBC completed its first-weekend sweep of the season thanks to a pair of convincing wins over the Bisons.
A 13-0 start in the first quarter helped guide the T-Wolves to a convincing 89-45 victory.
Fifth-year guard Alina Shakirova paced UNBC with a game-high 21 points.
Rookie Amrit Manak also had a good night going 6-for-11 on field goals while Laura Garmendia-Garcia notched 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Brynn Endicott was the high-scorer for Manitoba with 13 points.
The next night, Shakirova worked her magic again tallying 22 more points to go along with 9 rebounds during an 82-69 win.
Shak! Hear from Alina Shakirova after her 22-point, 9 rebound performance in @UNBCWomensBball’s 82-69 victory over a gritty @bisonswbb program pic.twitter.com/XKtAHuAE0i
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) January 8, 2023
UNBC (3-7) had 52 points in the paint while Manitoba (0-10) mustered up 30.
Lauren Bartlett led the Bisons in scoring with 23 points.
Hear from @umbisons guard Lauren Bartlett, who was tremendous with 23 points, five assists, and four boards in a tough loss to @UNBCWomensBball pic.twitter.com/kRc6DOlyDQ
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) January 8, 2023
Saturday was Shoot for the Cure night at the NSC.
Both varsity teams are on the road next weekend against Victoria.
Gotcha!
Svetlana with the silky moves and finishing the basket pic.twitter.com/Enw4kWWl1W
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) January 8, 2023
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
