BRANDON, Man. – A hot start on offence and stifling defence proved to be the difference as the UBC Thunderbirds started 2023 with a 76-41 win Friday night over the Brandon Bobcats.
The Thunderbirds started the game on a 16-0 run and unfortunately for the Bobcats that was the beginning of a very one-sided quarter.
Brandon got on the board thanks to a Kelsey Starchuck free-throw, but UBC continued the torrid pace out of the gate, outscoring BU 31-5 in the first quarter.
The Bobcats managed to pick things up in the second, outscoring UBC 15-10 in the frame but still trailed the T-Birds by 21 at the break.
Turnovers plagued the Bobcats in the first half, registering 15 while UBC managed 17 points as a direct result in the first quarter alone.
Four T-Birds finished in double figures, led by
Olivia Weekes' game-high 12 points.
Emily Martindale,
Mona Berlitz and
Taelor Coxford all contributed 10 points in the win.
The Bobcats were led by sophomore guard Reetta Tulkki's team-high 10 points.
The win improves UBC's record to 6-3 while the Bobcats remain winless on the season at 0-11.
The two teams meet again Saturday afternoon to conclude the weekend series as the 'Birds gun for a third win in four games.
Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m. PT with the game available live on
Canada West TV.
