VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds (2-2) are coming home with split from their two-game trek down Highway 1. Saturday night in Langley, the 'Birds dropped a dramatic 96-94 decision to their rivals from the Valley. Vlad Mihaila drained the buzzer beating, game-winning shot off an inbound lob pass, giving the Spartans their fourth victory of the season. Brian Wallack led all Thunderbirds with 24 points (9/17 FG) while Sukhman Sandhu chimed in with six three-pointers (6/10 3PT). Trinity's David Mutabazi led all players with 37 points (14/20 FG).
 
An evening removed from an 83-74 victory against the same Spartans club, the blue and gold started strong with a 24-21 lead through the opening quarter. Kevin Hanson's club was led in the opening quarter by Brian Wallack's eight points and three rebounds from Jack Cruz-Dumont. David Mutabazi managed 12 of Trinity's 21 first quarter points.


 
At the half-way point of the game, UBC led by six points (49-43). James Woods went four-for-six in the second quarter, and notched nine of his eventual 23 points while Sukhman Sandhu drained a pair of three pointers.
 
Thanks to a 26-22 edge in the third quarter, the Spartans maneuvered their way back to within two points of UBC (71-69). David Mutabazi recorded nine points for the home side while James Woods and Suhkman Sandhu each had six points for UBC.
 
Through much of the fourth quarter, the teams traded buckets, and leads. The two sides combined for 11 different lead changes, but ultimately it was Trinity who snagged the final lead on the strength of a combined 17 points from Mutabazi and Connor Platz. Brian Wallack led the 'Birds with eight points in the final quarter.
 
The game ultimately came down to the final seconds where both teams found a flair for the dramatic.


 
First with three seconds remaining in the quarter, UBC's Jack Cruz-Dumont tied the game at 94-94 when he heaved a deep three-pointer that bounced off the backboard and home. But off a Trinity timeout, and the advanced inbound, Vlad Milhila clinched the victory for the Spartans when he received the ensuing inbound pass (while in mid-air) and kissed a shot off the glass for his lone field goal of the game.
 
Despite finishing the game with a 57.4 percent field goal percentage, the 'Birds finished with seven more turnovers and seven fewer second-chance points compared to their Langley rivals.
 
Up next for UBC, a trip to Calgary for a Friday-Saturday double-header against the Mount Royal Cougars.