LANGLEY, BC – 24 hours after suffering an upset loss the UBC Thunderbirds rebounded in convincing fashion with some efficient shooting en route to a 79-59 victory over the Trinity Western Spartans Saturday Night to salvage the weekend series split at the Langley Events Centre. Following two consecutive setbacks the 'Birds were able to get back on track thanks to shooting 48 percent from the field, combined with a tidy all around effort in all other facets to improve to 11-5 on the season while the Spartans dropped to 8-8.
 
Leading the way for the T-Birds was second-year sharpshooting wing, Adam Olsen who poured in 23 points on the strength of hitting four of his seven three-point attempts while also adding four rebounds, fourth-year forward Nikola Guzina wasn't far behind totaling 18 points and three rebounds. Meanwhile, fellow fourth-year forward Tobi Akinkunmi registered a double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and seven steals. For the hosts it was fifth-year guard Jerric Palma contributing a game-high 25 points to go along with three rebounds while guard David Mutabazi also recorded a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.


 
The first quarter was evenly played with neither team being able to take control as TWU and UBC were tied 20-20 after the first quarter. UBC shot a sizzling 64.3 percent (9-14) from the field while TWU hit their fair share from outside at 50 percent (7-14). UBC started to take control of the second quarter and with the Spartans leading 27-26, the Thunderbirds used a 12-4 run to take a 38-31 lead into the halftime break. TWU shot 40.7 percent (11-27), while UBC shot 57.1 percent (16-28).


 
TWU had the slight edge in the third quarter as they outscored UBC 20-18 to claw within five points of the visitors, 56-51, heading into the final quarter. The Thunderbirds had threatened to run away with the game as they led by 11 points, 52-41 with three minutes remaining. But the Spartans finished with a 10-4 run to cut into the Thunderbird lead. TWU shot 36.8 percent (7-19) in the quarter, while UBC shot 35 percent (7-20). The T-Birds would respond in the final frame starting with a 7-2 run to take a 10-point lead, 63-53. TWU pushed to close the gap but were unable to get any closer as UBC increased their lead and secured the 20-point margin of victory with a 7u9-59 final.


 
Following their Friday night setback the T-Birds determination to turn the tables was evident in their work habits in Saturday's return engagement as UBC outrebounded TWU 48-31 while also enjoying the edge in points in the point at 38-26. Of note the 'Birds effectiveness off the bench was also much improved from the previous night as they received 23 points off the pine compared to just five from TWU.
 
The T-Birds will now return home after two weeks on the road to host the UBC Okanagan Heat for a weekend series beginning Friday February, 7 at 7:30 p.m. PT followed by the rematch on Saturday tipping off at 6:00 p.m. PT at War Memorial Gym. If you can't make it in person you can catch all the action on canadawest.tv