UBC's Nylan Roberts dribbling the ball with his head up and a UBCO Heat defender guarding him, completing a crossover with a confident look on his face
Will Thompson/UBCO Heat
99
Winner UBC UBC 8-2, 8-2
89
UBCO UBCO 3-9, 3-9
Winner
UBC UBC
8-2, 8-2
99
Final
89
UBCO UBCO
3-9, 3-9
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
UBC UBC 19 30 26 24 99
UBCO UBCO 18 21 15 35 89

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | UBCO Communications (with notes from UBC Communications)

'Birds win slugfest with Heat to finish first half

KELOWNA, B.C. — The U SPORTS No. 6-ranked UBC Thunderbirds (8-2) finished the first half of their season with a bang, winning a 99-89 shootout over the UBCO Heat in The Furnace on Saturday.

T-Birds' first-year Zeru Abera had a breakout game, dropping 18 points on an efficient six of nine from the field, while adding seven rebounds and five assists. Gus Goerzen was dialed from distance, shooting four of five from beyond the arc to account for most of his 14 points. Edouard Gauthier also scored 14 points while draining four threes.

UBC men's basketball player Gus Goerzen getting low and surveying intently as he decides what to do with the ball, a UBCO Heat defender looms over him, in the process of jumping into Goerzen

In the first quarter, the Heat and the Thunderbirds exchanged leads, with UBC narrowly ahead 19-18 at the buzzer. UBCO shot 38 percent from the field, including three 3-pointers, while their opponents capitalized on points in the paint, scoring 12 from close range. The Heat's defence was highlighted by 13 rebounds, though six turnovers helped the Thunderbirds tally nine bench points.

The two sister-school rivals continued to trade leads early in the second frame, but turnovers and missed chances allowed the Thunderbirds to seize momentum. UBC made the most of UBCO's four turnovers, converting them into crucial points, including a key 3-pointer by Goerzen at 7:54 that extended their lead. The Thunderbirds' sharp shooting from beyond the arc, with five 3-pointers, along with their 6-0 advantage in steals, contributed to their 30-21 scoring edge in the quarter. By the half's end, UBC led 49-39.

The Thunderbirds widened their lead in the third by outscoring UBCO 26-15, continuing to capitalize on their superior shooting from beyond the arc. UBC hit five of nine 3-point attempts, leading to their 56 percent field goal shooting in the half. Defensive plays, including five steals, disrupted the Heat's offence, which committed seven turnovers and shot 33 percent from the field. The Thunderbirds ended the quarter with a strong 75-54 advantage.

UBCO suddenly found its scoring touch in the fourth quarter, pouring in 35 points. However, the 'Birds added another 24 of their own to maintain a double digit advantage, closing out the win at 99-89.

UBC men's basketball player Tobi Akinkunmi looking up with his muscles flexing as he gathers the ball on a rebound

The T-Birds finish the first half of the season on a seven-game winning streak, with more than a full month off before their next game. UBC returns from the winter break for a tasty matchup with the rival Trinity Western Spartans (5-7) at War Gym on Friday, January 9th.
 
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