Laval, Que. – The UBC Thunderbirds made a late push but came up just short on the national stage as they were edged 68-66 by the Metropolitan Bold Friday evening in the second consolation game at the 2026 U SPORTS Women's Basketball Championship, presented by Michelob and Hilton Québec.
Top-seeded TMU (30-5, 20-2 OUA) used a strong third quarter to erase a halftime deficit and regain control before surviving a tight finish against No. 4 seed UBC (22-7, 16-4 CW).
UBC started quickly, building momentum behind player of the game and newly minted first team All-Canadian
Olivia Weekes, who poured in six of the T-Birds first eight points and an early 8-2 advantage. The Thunderbirds led 34–29 at halftime after outscoring the Bold 20–16 in the second quarter. Weekes was instrumental early, attacking the rim and converting at the free-throw line as UBC briefly pushed its lead to six in the opening period.
Toronto Metropolitan responded coming out of the break. Forward Myriam Kone sparked the Bold during a decisive third quarter, scoring 10 of her 18 points in the frame as TMU outscored UBC 22–13 to take a 51–47 lead into the fourth.
Player of the game Catrina Garvey delivered key offence for TMU, finishing with 19 points, including three, three-pointers and four clutch free throws in the final quarter.
UBC kept the pressure on late. Weekes finished with a game-high 24 points and nine rebounds, while
Jaeli Ibbetson added 15 points and a dominant 13 rebounds. The Thunderbirds closed the gap to a single possession in the final minute but could not find the tying basket before time expired.
Kone's 18 points and three blocks helped anchor the Bold at both ends, while Hailey Franco DeRyck contributed seven points and a game-high 14 rebounds to support the win.
Despite committing 19 turnovers, TMU shot 40 per cent from the field and did just enough defensively down the stretch to secure the two-point victory.
With the result, the Bold advance to Saturday's consolation final against Carleton, while the Thunderbirds conclude their tournament run after a tightly contested matchup.
NIKE TEAM PLAYERS OF THE GAME:
