The Trinity Western Spartans women’s basketball team did not want to be the first victim claimed by the UNBC Timberwolves.
TWU won a hard-fought 68-61 decision at the Northern Sports Centre in Prince George on Friday which marked the return of local product and Spartans Forward Kayla Gordon.
Despite a sloppy opening quarter UNBC led the Spartans by a 16-15 margin.
The tide changed in the second with TWU outscoring the Timberwolves 22-15 to carry a 39-30 lead at recess.
Vasilki Louka was smothered all game in the paint by an aggressive Spartans defense which limited her to just 8 points.
Timberwolves Head Coach, Sergey Shchepotkin says they didn’t come out with the same intensity during their 82-80 loss to Alberta. “I think its all about experience, its difficult to get tp the level we did last game but I still believe the team has big potential and I think we’ll see it one day.”
Hannah Pudlas saw her first action of the season for UNBC picking up 3 points after a battle with mono.
The T-Wolves were led offensively by Maria Mongomo with 21 points.
Trinity Western was led by Jessie Brown who also potted 21 including a 5 for 11 showing from 3-point range.
Gordon scored 17 points in 35 minutes of action for the Spartans.
On the men’s side, UNBC’s rebound from a 110-56 loss to Alberta by beating Trinity Western 80-71.
5th year player Rhys Elliott led the way with 22 points, but Elliott Rowe also carved out a major role by netting 18 off the bench including a 6 for 7 showing from beyond the arch.
Patrick Vandervelen scored 20 points in defeat for TWU.
Elliott says the team focused on one specific area in order to ensure the victory.
“Rebounding the ball being the undersized team that we are and boxing out bodies and staying disciplined on the rebounds.”
The UNBC men improve to 1-4 while the women are 0-5.
Both teams play Trinity Western again on Saturday at 5 and 7 from the NSC.