CALGARY - Playing loose and looking for redemption looked good on the UBC Thunderbirds men's basketball team, as they scorched the net from beyond the arc in a 101-72 victory over the Manitoba Bisons in the Jack Simpson Gymnasium at the University of Calgary. With the win UBC claimed the bronze medal in Canada West men's basketball.
 
It was a good bounce back game for head coach Kevin Hanson's T-Birds after a disappointing loss to Thompson Rivers in the semifinal Friday night. UBC takes the win into next Thursday night when they will host a quarter-final game in the CIS Final 8.
 
"Knowing that we had that berth into the nationals, we wanted to end on a high," said Hanson. "I'm really happy with how some of the guys stepped up. I think the starting crew played exceptionally well."
 
The 'Birds shot 55 percent from three-point land, led by Conor Morgan (Victoria, B.C.) who hit on seven of his eight attempts, finishing with 28 points. Morgan amassed the dominant stat line despite playing only three quarters - Hanson gave Morgan the fourth quarter off after he took a Manitoba fist to the chin during a battle for a rebound.
 
"I made a couple and then decided to just shoot it," said Morgan, showing no worse for wear. "We got the ball inside and then we kicked it back out. It really opens up the outside for our shooters. Easier shots are open shots."


 
Taylor Browne (Surrey, B.C.) was also dialed-in for the 'Birds. The rookie guard hit four triples on just five attempts, totalling 15 points. Patrick Simon (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) chipped in 12 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
 
For Manitoba, Keith Omeroah had 13 points and 8 boards, while AJ Basi knocked down 12 in the losing cause.
 
UBC came out firing from the opening tip, as Morgan drilled two early from downtown. Phil Jalalpoor (Shifferstadt, Germany), Browne, and Simon also hit from long distance in the opening frame. Later on, Morgan was fouled while scoring a lay-up, then hit his free throw and it was 30-10 after one quarter for UBC.
 
The second quarter started much like the first. Morgan continued to singe the net, hitting two more triples while A. J. Holloway (Tacoma, Wash.) and Browne also converted from beyond the arc. Part way through the quarter, UBC had opened a 44-15 lead. It was at this point Manitoba tried to make it a ball game.
 
Bassie decided he wanted to get in on the action and nailed two three pointers of his own, while teammate Omoerah started to assert himself on the glass.
Omoerah hit a lay-up on a break and was fouled for a three-point play. By halftime the score was 54-39 UBC.
 
The third quarter was all T-Birds, as Morgan and Browne continued making an impact from beyond the arc. By the time Morgan missed his first three point attempt of the evening, there were six minutes left in the frame and UBC was up by 30 points.
 
UBC now sets it's sights squarely on March 17th at 8pm when they will play their national quarterfinal game.
 
"Our motivation tonight was to get better as a team come Thursday," said a focused Morgan. "We need to trust the process and try to come closer together as a family."
 
If UBC shoots the basketball on Thursday like they did Saturday, the family portrait will be all smiles. 

Next week, the 'Birds host the CIS Men's Basketball Final 8. Get your tournament packages and single tickets now, as the national championship is set to take place from March 17-20 at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. UBC will play their quarterfinal game on Thursday, March 17, with tip-off set for 8 p.m. (PT). Get tickets now.