VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds men's basketball team won both of its games comfortably at the Alberta Golden Bear Invitational in Edmonton this weekend. Playing against Ontario University Athletics (OUA) competition, the Thunderbirds beat the Western Mustangs 94-70 on Friday before dumping the Nipissing Lakers 83-59 on Saturday.
Conor Morgan recorded 29 points and 15 rebounds against Western.
Luka Zaharijevic and Pat Simon scored 14 and 13 points, respectively.
T-Birds set the tone against the Mustangs right away, outscoring them 24-13 in the opening quarter. UBC lead 52-34 at the mid-game break.
Morgan was one of four players in double digits against Nipissing. He scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in just 14 minutes of play, while T-Birds guard
Phil Jalalpoor led all players in the game with 15 points.
Luka Zaharijevic also had 14 points, and eight rebounds, while
Jordan Jensen-Whyte had 13.
UBC led 44-34 at the half and the margin was still 10 points heading into the final quarter. After Jordan Roberts opened the fourth with a bucket for Nipissing, the T-Birds' offence exploded for 12 straight points to put the game away.
Isaiah Familia got the run started by converting a bucket and the ensuing foul shot. UBC got the stop on its next defensive possession, allowing
Patrick Simon to build on the T-Birds' momentum with a three-point basket.
UBC will now return home to host its own tournament, the UBC Invitational, Oct. 27-29. The event will feature Lakehead, Wilfrid Laurier, Thompson Rivers and Northern BC.
