VANCOUVER - The new-look UBC Thunderbirds opened the conference season with an impressive 91-55 win over the Brandon Bobcats on Friday on the strength of 38 points from their rookies, including a game-high 19 from freshman guard
Malcolm Williams.
Williams got the start in his first CIS game in place of an injured
Doug Plumb, and the rookie out of Pitt Meadows made the most of his chance, taking good care of the ball and contributing on both ends of the floor, adding a game-high four assists to go with his 19 points.
"We've got some very exciting young players. We still make some young mistakes too, but it's very important for us not only this year but in upcoming years for these young guys to get a lot of minutes," said UBC head coach
Kevin Hanson. "Without Doug in the lineup, someone had to step up and I thought Malcolm did a tremendous job. What a great way to come in and contribute and be an impact player right away in his first CIS game."
Fifth-year centre
Balraj Bains also looked good in his new starting role. He got the action started with a crowd-pleasing blocked shot on Brandon's first possession, and finished with three blocks in the game along with a game-high 10 rebounds and nine points.
"He's playing some exciting basketball," Hanson said of his fifth-year big man. "His confidence is at an all time high, and having been in our program for five years, he should be good and should be getting these minutes. He does a lot of things. Got the first block of the game to spark our defence, got a nice dunk in the game, and just doing good things to keep the ball alive at both ends of the floor."
The Bobcats were able to hang tough with UBC for the first quarter, trailing by just five at the first break. But a 25-13 second quarter for the T-Birds gave the home side as much separation as it needed to cruise to a win on opening night.
UBC shot over 52 per cent from the field compared to 32 per cent for the Bobcats. The 'Birds also owned the paint and played aggressive, earning almost three times as many trips to the free throw line as Brandon.
Another UBC rookie to make a big splash in his debut was Nakai Lukyen. The freshman combo guard scored 12 points, including a monster dunk to put the exclamation point on UBC's home opener in the fourth quarter.
Nathan Yu scored 15 for UBC in his first start at point guard.
Tommy Nixon added 12 points and
Graham Bath had 11.
Ali-Mounir Benabdelhak led the Bobcats with 12 points and tied Alex Klocek for the team rebounding lead with five boards.
The Bobcats fall to 1-2 on the year, while the win sees UBC start 1-0.
Next up for the 'Birds are the Regina Cougars. Those sides clash on Saturday at War Memorial Gym. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.
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