Box Score The UNBC Timberwolves men's basketball team battled until the final buzzer on Friday night, but a valiant comeback effort came up just short in a heartbreaking 105-102 overtime loss to the UBCO Heat.

The Timberwolves came out firing, built an early double-digit lead, and showed tremendous resilience to force overtime after trailing late in regulation. However, free-throw struggles and a few unfortunate bounces in the extra frame ultimately proved costly for UNBC.

The Timberwolves opened the contest in impressive fashion, taking a 27-15 lead after the first quarter. Eight different players found the scoresheet in the opening 10 minutes, with Evgeny Baukin leading the way with nine points. Isaiah Bias and Milan Pasquale connected from beyond the arc, while Will Keyes, Ben Worthington-White, Chris Ainsley, Miller Davies and Tony Kibonge also contributed offensively.

UBCO responded in the second quarter, outscoring UNBC 24-18, but the Timberwolves found a timely answer late in the half. With the game tied at 39, Worthington-White knocked down a clutch three-pointer from the right elbow to restore the UNBC advantage. Bias added three more points before the break, helping the Timberwolves carry a 45-39 lead into halftime.

Baukin had nine points at the break, while Bias followed closely with eight. Miller Davies also controlled the glass, collecting five rebounds in the opening half.

The momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter. UBCO opened the frame with an 11-5 run to tie things at 50 before taking its first lead on a three-pointer from Will Zylyk. The Heat continued to build momentum, outscoring UNBC 21-8 in the quarter to take a 62-53 advantage into the fourth.

Kibonge helped the Timberwolves regain some life with a three-pointer, and both teams traded shots from beyond the arc in the final minute. Kibonge and Pasquale each connected from deep to keep the deficit manageable, with UNBC trailing by just six heading into the final 10 minutes.

The fourth quarter delivered plenty of drama.

Bias opened the frame with a layup before Davies threw down a dunk, bringing UNBC within two. Baukin then converted an and-one opportunity to cap a 7-0 Timberwolves run and give UNBC a one-point lead.

The Heat responded with a 7-0 run of their own, but the Timberwolves refused to go away. Baukin scored back-to-back baskets to pull UNBC within three, while Ainsley and Kibonge continued to deliver timely offensive contributions.

With 1:20 remaining, Kibonge buried his fifth three-pointer of the evening, cutting the UBCO lead to just two. The senior finished with 18 points before fouling out.

After Pasquale split a pair of free throws, Ainsley took matters into his own hands, finishing a layup in transition to give UNBC a 91-90 lead.

UBCO answered at the free-throw line, and Isaak Moore converted twice after a UNBC turnover and subsequent foul to put the Heat ahead 93-90 with 17 seconds remaining.
With the game on the line, Ainsley delivered.

Needing a three-pointer to force overtime, the Timberwolves turned to Ainsley, who knocked down the clutch shot to send the game to an extra period tied at 93.

In overtime, the two teams continued to trade blows. With the score tied at 98, UBCO connected on back-to-back baskets to take a 102-98 lead. Davies converted twice at the charity stripe to bring UNBC within two, but Bias fouled out shortly afterward as the Heat extended their advantage to four at the free-throw line.

Keyes and Worthington-White each made one of two free throws as the Timberwolves continued to battle, but UNBC couldn't quite find the equalizer.

With 10 seconds remaining, the Timberwolves secured a defensive rebound and had one final opportunity to tie the game. Baukin looked inside for Keyes on the ensuing possession, but the pass deflected off Keyes and out of bounds, ending UNBC's final chance.

The Heat added a free throw following the ensuing foul to seal the victory.

Despite the heartbreaking result, the Timberwolves had plenty of offensive contributions to build on, with six players reaching double figures. Ainsley delivered a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Davies also recorded a double-double, finishing with 10 points and 10 boards.

Baukin led the Timberwolves offensively with 23 points, while Kibonge's five three-pointers and 18-point performance provided a major spark. UNBC's biggest challenge came at the charity stripe, where the Timberwolves finished just 22-for-37.

The Timberwolves will look to bounce back next weekend when they head to Vancouver Island for a two-game series against the Victoria Vikes on Friday and Saturday.