VANCOUVER – A strong defensive performance propelled the No. 3 UBC Thunderbirds women's basketball team to a 75-38 victory over the Manitoba Bisons Friday night in Winnipeg.
Zara Huntley (5th, Halifax, NS) led UBC with 20 points and nine rebounds. UBC did not allow any Bisons player to reach double digits in points, as Mubo Ilelaboye was the top Manitoba scorer with eight.
“A strong team effort tonight,” commented UBC head coach
Deb Huband. “Our tenacious team defence was a factor tonight as was our ability to work the glass. We had some nice passing plays and were rewarded with 18 assists.”
The Thunderbirds recorded the first eight points of the game, capped off by a
Kristen Hughes (4th, North Vancouver, BC) jumper and ended the first quarter up 16-2, setting the tone for the game.
Hughes would end the game with ten points.
After holding Manitoba to just three first-half field goals, UBC went into the mid-game break with a 31-11 lead, which would continue to grow until the final whistle.
The 11 points given up by UBC in the first half was the fewest since Nov. 27, 2004 when the T-Birds also allowed just 11 points in a half at Trinity Western.
Kris Young (2nd, North Vancouver, BC) chipped in with 17 points for the Thunderbirds.
UBC (9-2) has now won five regular season games in a row and will face Winnipeg on Saturday night, while Manitoba (3-10) will host Victoria on Saturday.
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