With files from TRU Sports Information

KAMLOOPS - The No. 2-ranked UBC Thunderbirds (5-0) won their fifth straight to start the season with an 84-68 decision over the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack (0-6) at the Tournament Capital Center in Kamloops on Friday night. 

The T-Birds had four players reach double figures with Josh Whyte and Melvyn Mayott leading UBC for the second straight evening.  It was a much stronger performance on the defensive side of the ball for the T-Birds after they required late game heroics from Whyte on Thursday to earn an 84-81 victory over the winless 'Pack.

"We changed our lineup from the night before," said UBC head coach Kevin Hanson. " I thought our energy was a bit better tonight. I was more pleased with what I saw.  I thought TRU came out and had a lot of fight in them for a team which, for lack of a better word, was devastated after last's night result."

Whyte led UBC with 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting to go along with seven rebounds and four assists.  Mayott had another big game off the bench, pouring in 16 points, including 3-of-5 shooting from downtown.  Starters Kyle Watson and Nathan Yu also carried the scoring load with 15 and 11 points respectively, however, the T-Birds struggled with their shooting touch for the second straight game.

UBC was only 31-of-79 (39.2%) from the floor including just 4-of-22 from beyond the three-point arc.  Their disappointing finish was propped up by their outstanding work on the glass which included 21 offensive boards and a stifling defence that forced the 'Pack into 31 turnovers. 

The T-Birds effort on the offensive glass and on defence translated in 25 more shots attempts as the 'Pack finished the game 22-of-54 from the field. 

Sean Garvey had a standout performance for the hosts, going off for 28 points on 8-of-13 shooting which included 7-of-10 from downtown.  Greg Stewart picked up his second double-double of the week with 13 points and 15 boards but the duo couldn't keep pace with the T-Birds depth.

The T-Birds took charge of the game with a 15-0 run to close the first quarter ahead 30-15.  TRU responded with a strong effort in the second frame, outscoring UBC 18-11 to cut the lead to just 41-33 at the half.

Watson's 11-point second half help steady the 'Birds as they pushed their lead to 18 with a 10-3 run late in the third quarter. 

A 15-5 push to begin the fourth frame was all the insurance UBC needed as they remain first in the Pacific Division with 10 points through five games.

UBC closes out the first half of their 2009-10 schedule with a road trip to Manitoba next weekend as they take on the Winnipeg Wesmen on Friday and the Manitoba Bisons on Saturday.