KELOWNA, B.C. – The UBC Thunderbirds held off a fourth quarter comeback attempt to hang on for an 80-77 win over the host UBC-Okanagan Heat Friday night in Kelowna.

Facing a 12-point deficit heading into the final frame, the Heat (7-8) surged with a 13-4 run to come within a single possession after Kelsey Falk drained a three midway through the quarter.

The 'Birds (15-2) responded to build their lead back up to nine at 74-65 with 2:30 remaining, but the Heat refused to go quietly, eventually tying the game 77-77 with less than half a minute on the clock.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by UBC Women's Basketball (@ubcwbball)

Coming up in the clutch for the T-Birds, however, was Mona Berlitz who came down with an offensive rebound before draining the go-ahead bucket with 16 seconds left while also drawing a foul. Berlitz made good on her free throw to re-establish a three-point UBC lead.

The Heat took a timeout but after inbounding, didn't manage to attempt a shot as UBC extended their win streak to 11 games.

Berlitz finished the night with 16 points and seven rebounds while Olivia Weekes set a season high with 25 points to lead all players on the court, one point shy of her career high mark. Weekes added 13 rebounds and a trio of steals in what was a tremendous night all around for the third-year guard from Winnipeg.



The host Heat opened up a quick 6-2 run to open the game but the T-Birds quickly erased the deficit and led 23-16 by the end of the first quarter on 10-of-16 shooting.

Weekes led the early charge with an impressive 12 points and five boards in the opening frame alone.

The Heat stormed back in the second with an 8-2 run to get back within four with less than two minutes to go before the break.

A pair of successful free throws by Rachel Hettinger cut the Heat deficit to a single bucket but Berlitz drained a long jumper with the shot clock nearing zero. Just as the game clock itself was about to expire to end the half, Stefanie Hart responded with a long-range two of her own as UBC held just a slim 40-38 advantage through 20 minutes.



The third quarter saw UBC hold the hosts to just 10 points as the Heat went 4-for-15 from the field. Sofia Bergman drained seven of her 18 points in the third quarter as the 'Birds staked out a 60-48 advantage with ten minutes to play.

Full credit to the Heat who rallied to eventually tie the game in the fourth before Berlitz and the 'Birds secured their third straight win over UBCO, including last year's Canada West Play-in game.

The 'Birds and Heat will meet once again Saturday in UBC's final road game of the regular season. Tipoff in Kelowna is set for 4:00 p.m. PT with the game available live on Canada West TV.