Nikola Guzina going up for a left handed layup, a WolfPack player flies in behind him with his arm raised but is clearly too far back to have a chance to block the shot
Andrew Snucins/Thompson Rivers WolfPack
84
Winner UBC Thunderbirds (M) UBC 0
61
Thompson Rivers WolfPack (M) TRU 0
Winner
UBC Thunderbirds (M) UBC
0
84
Final
61
Thompson Rivers WolfPack (M) TRU
0
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
UBC Thunderbirds (M) UBC 17 22 21 24 84
Thompson Rivers WolfPack (M) TRU 8 22 22 9 61

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Toby Kerr (UBC Communications)

Balanced 'Birds pull away from 'Pack

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – The UBC Thunderbirds (3-0) prevailed 84-61 over the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack (2-1) at the Tournament Capital Centre on Friday, in what was a battle between two of the three remaining undefeated teams in Canada West's Pacific Division.

The T-Birds started and finished the game strong, jumping out to a 17-5 lead in the first quarter and pulling away at the end by outscoring the WolfPack 24-9 in the final frame. In between, the 'Pack rallied from double digit deficits on multiple occasions, cutting the lead to as little as two points, but the 'Birds never fully gave up their advantage.

Fareed Shittu seen from the side about to shoot a free throw, the ball raised to in front of his face, which is a mask of concentration

UBC's defence stood out, as they clamped down and, remarkably, held TRU off the scoreboard for two stretches of roughly five minutes, in the first and fourth quarter. They also did not allow a WolPack free throw in the first half.

Offensively, it was yet another efficient shooting night for the blue and gold. The T-Birds shot over 48% from the field, while holding the 'Pack to 33% shooting. That efficiency was buoyed by the 'Birds consistent ability to get to the rim, as the outscored the WolfPack 48-28 in the paint.

Brendan Sullivan dribbling the ball with his right hand and holding off a WolfPack defender with his left

As has become an early season hallmark of the team, the T-Birds attack was well-balanced once again. 11 different players scored for UBC and none had more than 12 points until late in the fourth quarter, when Fareed Shittu and Adam Olsen led a final offensive surge to reach 18 and 17 points respectively. Shittu also contributed a game-high seven rebounds, along with three steals and a block.

The two teams rematch at the Tournament Capital Centre on Saturday, with tip-off set for 6:00 p.m. (PT). Stream that game, or watch the replay of Friday's big win, on Canada West TV.
 
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