The UNBC Timberwolves showed plenty of fight in their home opener Saturday, but a dominant defensive fourth quarter from the Thompson Rivers WolfPack proved to be the difference in an 84-71 setback at the Northern Sport Centre.

UNBC held a four-point lead after the opening quarter and battled back to within one heading into the final frame, but TRU closed the game on a decisive 15-4 run to secure the road victory.

The afternoon also marked the return of two key Timberwolves, as Evgeny Baukin and Will Keyes made immediate impacts in their first games back from lengthy injury absences.

Baukin, who suffered a season-ending injury against UBC Okanagan in November 2025, was sharp from the opening tip. The guard went four-for-four from the field in the first quarter, scoring nine points to help UNBC establish a 25-21 advantage.

Keyes was equally impressive. The third-year forward from Kelowna, who missed all of last season while recovering from injury, poured in seven first-quarter points on three-for-three shooting.

The Timberwolves' returning duo continued to lead the way in the second, combining for 12 of UNBC's 20 points. Baukin had 15 at the break, while Keyes added 13 points and a game-high five rebounds as the WolfPack edged ahead 49-45.

TRU's Cason Scott led all WolfPack scorers with 15 points in the opening half, setting the stage for a competitive second half.

The teams traded baskets throughout the third quarter, with UNBC trimming the deficit to just one after outscoring the visitors 19-16. Baukin added four more points, including an emphatic alley-oop dunk that brought the home crowd to its feet, giving him 19 points through three quarters.

Scott, along with teammates Stephens and Dami Farinloye, continued to provide consistent offensive production for TRU as the game headed toward a tense final frame.

Unfortunately for the Timberwolves, the fourth quarter told a different story. The WolfPack clamped down defensively, holding UNBC without a field goal until Chris Ainsley connected with less than two minutes remaining. TRU outscored the hosts 15-4 in the period to pull away.

Scott finished with a game-high 25 points to pace the WolfPack, who secured the 84-71 victory.

Despite the result, the returns of Baukin and Keyes offered encouraging signs for a Timberwolves squad looking to build momentum early in the 2026-27 Canada West season.

UNBC will look to regroup and respond as the new campaign continues.