Box Score On Friday night in Vancouver, the UNBC Timberwolves fell 81-48 to the host UBC Thunderbirds. Despite a 20-point performance from
Viktoriia Filatova, the Timberwolves couldn't overcome a forceful outing from UBC's Olivia Weekes, who finished with a game-high 24 points.
UBC opened the scoring from the free-throw line, but UNBC quickly responded.
Sophia Fuller converted a layup off a
Claire Huang assist, and Filatova gave the T-Wolves a brief 4-2 lead with a jump shot following an
Aurora Cabrera steal. However, the Thunderbirds found their rhythm, going on a 14-0 run fueled by free throws and inside scoring. Filatova broke the drought with a late basket assisted by
Hazel Phillips, and added another layup at the buzzer, but UBC held an 18-12 lead after one.
The Timberwolves fought back in the second quarter. Cabrera scored inside off an
Amrit Manak assist, and Filatova added another jumper to cut the lead to 20-16. The perimeter shooting then came alive for UNBC, with Manak and
Summer Toor draining back-to-back 3-pointers to pull the T-Wolves within one at 24-23. The Thunderbirds responded with a run of their own, led by Weekes, but UNBC stayed within striking distance thanks to free throws from Filatova, trailing just 37-30 at halftime.
The third quarter proved to be the turning point, as the Thunderbirds' defense locked down. UBC opened the frame on a significant run, extending their lead with contributions from Weekes and Sara Toneguzzi.
Hazel Phillips managed a layup for UNBC, but the T-Wolves struggled to find consistent offense. Late 3-pointers from UBC's Kiarra Kelly pushed the host's advantage to 56-32 heading into the final frame.
Despite the deficit, the Timberwolves continued to battle in the fourth. Cabrera and Fuller scored early baskets, and Filatova tried to spark a rally with six straight points, including two tough jump shots. Toor connected on her second 3-pointer of the night, and
Avin Jahangiri capped the scoring with a triple assisted by Filatova. However, UBC's depth and consistent scoring from the free-throw line secured the 81-48 victory for the hosts.
The Timberwolves will look to bounce back and split the weekend series when they face the Thunderbirds again tomorrow night in Vancouver.
