VANCOUVER – Following the holiday break the UBC Thunderbirds (10-0) open the second half of their season with a trip north to take on the UNBC Timberwolves (2-6) on Sunday, January 16th. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. inside Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre.
 
The 'Birds were previously scheduled to play UBC Okanagan in Kelowna on Thursday, January 13^th, however the game was postponed earlier this week due to COVID-19 related protocols.
 
It will have been 43 days since the T-Birds' last conference game in early December, which saw them defeat the visiting Trinity Western Spartans on back-to-back days.

"It has been a long time since we played a game but everybody is in the same boat," said UBC head coach Kevin Hanson in reference to the five-week holiday layoff from competitive action. "Athletes and coaches are really excited about getting back to competing. It will be interesting to see what teams look like because most will not be at full rosters for a few weeks. We have been training hard and trying to get back in to game mode. Everyone will be rusty without having any exhibition games but we should be thankful that we are able to practice and play games." 
 
 
Friday night's contest was a physical, defensive minded matchup which saw both teams struggle to find their shooting rhythm. In the end the 'Birds relied on a balanced attack and grit to outpace TWU 78-68. The battle on the boards proved key as UBC's 25 offensive rebounds led to 18 second chance points. Brian Wallack made his presence known inside War Memorial Gym, earning a diligent 13-point, 15 rebound double-double. The hosts saw four players reach double figures with James Woods leading the bunch, scoring a season high 24 points.
 
Shot making from both sides led to a faster paced game Saturday night, as the T-Birds edged out a 102-97 victory against the Spartans. The 'Birds efficiently knocked down a season high 15 three-point field goals to extend their conference winning streak to 10 games. Grant Audu led the way with 24 points, six assists and six rebounds. Woods added 22 points, his sixth 20 plus point game this season. Kyle Foreman posted an 18 point, 12 assist double-double, and added four steals.
 
Sunday's matchup against the T-Wolves will be the third time these teams have met this season. UBC won the previous two matchups inside Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre, 86-76 and 101-69 in late November.
 

 
The 'Birds high powered offense enters this Sunday's matchup scoring 88.1 PPG, ranked second best in the Canada West. Grant Audu (17.8 PPG), James Woods (17.5 PPG), and Sukhman Sandhu (16.8 PPG) look to continue their stellar play against UNBC and extend the team's winning streak. The 'Birds are shooting well from the field this season (47.5%); when they're not knocking down shots, their 15 offensive rebounds per game helps create additional opportunities to put opponents away.

"We had a good first half of a season but we still have a long way to go," added Hanson on his squads progression through the first half of the season. "We were starting to get a good idea of rotations and roles right before the break but it feels like we are starting that process over again."
 
UNBC is led by fifth year guard Tyrell Laing, a volume shooter from Prince George who averages 16.9 PPG. A key aspect of this matchup for the T-Wolves will be rebounding and free throws. Four players average more than six rebounds per game, and as a team rank second in the Canada West in Free Throws Made per game (16.5).
 
This matchup can be viewed live on Canada West TV presented by Co-op