WINNIPEG - The no. 8 ranked UBC Thunderbirds (5-3) picked up a big win on Saturday night over the Manitoba Bisons (3-6) using a strong second half to pull away for an 80-66 victory to close the first half of their regular season.
After seeing a game slip away in the final minutes on Friday to Winnipeg, the T-Birds came out with a dominant effort over the final 20 minutes to blow open a game that was knotted 34-34 at the half.
Zara Huntley had 14 of her game high 19 points and seven of of her 12 rebounds during the second half as UBC outscored the Bisons 46-32 during that time.
The first half saw the Bisons lead by as many as eight early on and the hosts enjoyed a five-point lead 24-19 after one quarter.
UBC took control in the second frame and
Montanna Dunmore tied the game with two seconds left in the half with a free throw. Dunmore had a huge game for the T-Birds as she notched 14 points and 16 boards, including eight on the offensive glass, to key UBC's 55-38 advantage in rebounds.
The second half was all Huntley early as she scored UBC's first eight points to help the T-Birds to a six point lead and a
Candace Morisset three-pointer at the 5:16 mark gave the visitors an eight point cushion. A Huntley jumper as time expired in the quarter gave UBC a five-point lead and they never looked back.
The third-year T-Bird post added a pair of field goals in the fourth quarter and UBC took their first double-digit lead with seven and a half minutes left in regulation.
Four Manitoba Bisons starters scored in double figures with Kayla Klassen leading the bunch with 16 points. Kait Flett added a double-double with 13 points and 10 board, but it wasn't enough as the Bisons got just 11 points from their bench.
Lia St. Pierre had 15 points off the bench for the T-Birds and UBC got 32 points from their reserves in the win.
UBC's next Canada West action comes on January 8 and 9 at home as they welcome the Regina Cougars (7-1) and Brandon Bobcats (1-9) to War Memorial.
-30-
