Mongomo’s hot hand leads UNBC to weekend sweep over T-Birds

When your hot, your hot.

Maria Mongomo certainly knew the feeling as her massive 32-point effort led the UNBC Timberwolves to a 79-61 win Saturday over the UBC Thunderbirds, completing the weekend sweep.

The third-year player out of Spain connected on 11 field goals and went a whopping eight-for-12 from beyond the arch.

“They give me so much confidence, and I always feel free to shoot; they support me and I support them,” says Mongomo.

The Timberwolves rebounded after a slow start in the first quarter falling behind 22-14 to the Thunderbirds, but rallied for a 36-34 edge at half-time.

UNBC completed some unfinished business against UBC, who swept the Timberwolves in last year’s playoffs.

Mongomo says exacting revenge on them was a point of emphasis.

“We had something to prove with this team, after last year’s playoffs. After we won yesterday, we just believed. We did it as a team.”

The Timberwolves also received a break out performance from Vasiliki Louka who nearly posted a triple-double with 22 points, eight assists, and 13 rebounds.

After her 32 point performance in a huge win over @ubcwbball , @conchi_mongomo12 talks about her @unbcwbb teammates, and then is asked if she has ever had a game like that. Stick around for her answer. #gotwolves

A post shared by Timberwolves (@unbctwolves) on Nov 11, 2017 at 7:30pm PST

The consecutive losses spoiled the homecoming for UBC sophomore Marcie Schlick, who played with the Duchess Park Condors alongside UNBC’s Madison Landry and Alina Shakirova.

With a much younger squad this season, Schlick believes the team is going through some growing pains.

“It’s a different team dynamic because we don’t have those older leaders, we have some younger players that are taking on some much bigger roles and it’s definitely harder, but it is a fun group to be around, it’s exciting to have a bigger role and figure out where you’re at.”

The local product finished with just two points in 17 minutes of action along with four fouls.

UNBC improves to 2-4 on the season while the Thunderbirds drop to 3-3.

In men’s action, UNBC had no answer for Phil Jalalapoor and Conor Morgan who put up a combined 56 points in a dominant 104-72 victory.

Much like Mongomo, Jalalapoor was unstoppable from three-point range going seven-for-10.

Vova Pluzhnikov led the Timberwolves in scoring with 17 points in a losing effort.

UNBC drops to 2-4 while UBC improves to 4-2.

The T-Wolves welcome the University of Regina Cougars next Friday and Saturday from the Northern Sports Centre.