The UBC Thunderbirds outscored the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades 28-10 in the fourth quarter to earn an 80-72 win at War Memorial Gym and improve to 4-0 on the season. The 'Birds overcame a ten-point third quarter deficit with solid defending and clutch performances from James Woods and Grant Audu to earn a series sweep over the Cascades.
 
"Grind is the perfect word to use to describe that game," said UBC head coach Kevin Hanson after another hard-fought battle on home court. "I think James Woods certainly played a leadership role for us, especially in that fourth quarter playing a little bit of point guard. He did some really good things, and the defense really stepped up. It was an emotional game and an emotional win. Good teams have to learn how to win in different ways, and that was certainly a different way to win."


 
Woods scored nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and added seven rebounds on the night, while Audu scored 10 of his 17 points in the final frame to help lift the 'Birds to victory. Sukhman Sandhu put up a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds against his former team, and Tristan Matthews added 12 points with eight boards in the win.
 
Suraj Gahir scored a team-high 17 points for UFV, Kyle Claggett had 16 points and five assists, and Vick Toor tallied 10 points with seven assists and four rebounds as the Cascades fall to 2-2 on the season.
 
Gahir made it 10-8 Cascades in the first quarter before Aidan Wilson hit a runner for a five-point lead. Matthews responded by knocking down a three and Toni Maric came up with a block and drained his first triple for a narrow 15-14 advantage. With the T-Birds up three, UFV's Jake Willemsen scored from beyond the arc to tie it at 17-17 heading into the second quarter.
 
Matthews hit his second three to start the second, but Gahir answered with a three of his own to even it back up. With the score knotted up at 30-30, Sandhu hit his first three and scored his second moments later for a 36-32 lead. Woods dropped a triple and followed up a Jack Cruz-Dumont fast break for two and a 43-32 advantage as the 'Birds headed into halftime up 43-34.

?? MBB | T-Birds enjoy a 43-34 lead over @UFVCascades at the break! #GoBirdsGo pic.twitter.com/rwHZr5AC4z

— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) November 7, 2021

The T-Birds maintained their nine-point cushion early in the third on a tough finish from Audu at the rim, but the Cascades cut into the lead and made it a three-point game on a Jordyn Sekhon three at 50-47 before cutting it to one with Claggett free throws. Dario Lopez gave the visitors the lead with an and one and the UBC offense stalled while UFV continued to roll through the third quarter. Claggett made it a seven-point game and the Cascades carried a ten-point lead into the fourth quarter up 62-52 – outscoring the 'Birds 28-9 in the frame.
 
The Thunderbirds regrouped between quarters, and a Sandhu dunk cut the deficit to six before Woods made it a four-point game on a step-back jumper over Zubair Sayed early in the fourth. Audu made it 69-66 and Woods cut to the rim for another two, while the Thunderbirds' zone shut down UFV's offense. Sandhu gave the 'Birds a one-point edge on a layup, then the former Cascade backed down Claggett to draw a foul – hitting a free throw for a two-point lead at 71-69. Audu sliced through the lane for a layup to make it a two-possession game and Woods carved up the UFV defense for a hoop and the harm with 1:06 remaining to make it 76-69 T-Birds. Claggett finally put an end to the T-Bird run with a three at 78-72 in the final minute, but it was too little too late as the Thunderbirds held on for the 80-72 victory.  


 
The Thunderbirds now head out on the road for the first time with their new roster to take on the UBC Okanagan Heat on November 12^th and 13^th, while the Cascades host the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack next weekend.  
 
"I'm really looking forward to the road trip," said Hanson as his team now prepares for back-to-back series away from home. "It gives you a chance to really be together and get to know each other, so I'm looking forward to reconnecting with everyone as people. It's also an opportunity to play in different environments and get out of the comforts of home. You really get tested when you're on the road."