VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds lead wire to wire for the second straight night in a 71-55 win to improve to 4-0 in U Sports play.
 
The T-Birds dominated defensively, holding Manitoba to just 22 percent from the field and 8 points in the first quarter. Despite extending their unbeaten streak to four straight games, Thunderbird Head Coach Deb Huband knows her team is capable of more.
 
"I think tonight our energy wasn't sustained – Manitoba made a push, but we were able to respond so I think its something we can build on."
 
Down 35-24 at half, Manitoba came out flying in the third. The Bisons narrowed the UBC lead to seven before Hanson responded with a three and Kara Spotton made a layup to make it a twelve-point game.
 

Three quarters in, @UBCWBBall lead @umbisons, 56-43. Kara Spotton leads with 16p & 5rebs ?? #GoBirdsGo

??:@aheatherington9 pic.twitter.com/CaGZVCuJUt

— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) November 20, 2016

 
In the fourth, a Spotton stuff sent Maddison Penn off to the races. The Aussie went on to score 9 of her 14 points in the final 10 minutes of play and was a board away from the double-double. 
 
Veteran guard Jessica Hanson scored 7 of her 10 points in the opening frame and, with 21 bench points, the T-Birds showcased their young lineup throughout. Rookies Sammy Baumgartner, Ali Norris and Keyln Filewich each played over 10 minutes in the victory.
 
Huband noted the improvement her youthful team has shown since training camp.
 
"The last time we played at home was mid-October. I think there's been a lot of positive change since then, and it feels great to get twelve players on the court and have them contributing."
 
In her fifth year with the 'Birds, Spotton was also pleased with the fresh faces in the lineup.


 
"I think they're handling it well, you can see that they're getting better each game. The more minutes they can get, they more they can work on the plays and just improve overall."
 
Spotton shot a clinical 67 percent from the field, and finished with 16 points, 8 boards, and 3 blocks.
 
Before hosting UVic for the Thunderstruck event on Saturday, UBC will travel to the island to face the Vikes.
 
The home-and-home series will be a measuring stick for the undefeated T-Birds, and Huband says there will be a lot on the line.
 
"Victoria is one of our longest standing rivals, they've had a pretty solid start so I think that matchup will tell us a lot about where we are now. It's an interesting format, and with the festival on Saturday we're really looking forward to being the showcase event."