Green and white Timberwolves jerseys are officially back on the floor.
Both the UNBC women's and men's basketball teams opened their 2018-19 seasons last night with convincing wins against the Mount Royal Cougars.
The women were first to tip off at 5 p.m.
UNBC would be looking for big seasons once again from fourth-year guard Maria Mongomo, the Spanish native led the team in steals last season. Fifth-year Vasiliki Louka led the team in points (18.2 per game), rebounds (12.2 per game) and blocks (1.1 per game). The 6'4 Greek forward is looking to once again have a dominant season.
The Timberwolves would dominate the first quarter, outscoring the Cougars 23-8. The second quarter was a similar script with the Timberwolves building a 48-21 halftime lead.
Prince George native, forward Madison Landry led the team with 15 points while recording one assist and two rebounds in the first half. Just behind her was Louka who added 14 points while recording seven rebounds, one assist, and one block in 15 minutes of action.
The second half was much tighter compared to the first.
For UNBC, Mongomo would have a huge second half of the game going 4-of-7 from the field for 12 points while adding three steals, one assist, and five rebounds. And once again Louka would be right behind shooting 3-of-5 from the field and added five more rebounds and two assists while seeing 12 minutes on the floor. UNBC would finish the second half with 45 points.
Mount Royal was led by Kansas Long who scored 11 in the second half going 3-of-9 from the field while adding one steal and one block.
The Cougars finished the second half with 40 and UNBC easily walked away with a 93-61 win. There was only one lead change the entire game.
Mongomo finished the night with 22 points and 10 rebounds, Louka added 22 points and 12 rebounds while Landry had 21 points and four rebounds.
Overall, the Timberwolves shot 49.3 per cent from the field and hit 18.2 per cent from three. They finished with 61 rebounds but also committed 22 turnovers.
Mount Royal finished the night shooting 26.2 per cent from the field and were able to hold their turnovers to 14 for the season opener.
At the final buzzer, @UNBCWomensBball takes it 93-61 over the @MRUCougars. Maria Mongomo with 22 points & 10 rebounds. Louka adds 22 & 12. Landry has 21 & 4. pic.twitter.com/Cu83XYFEsy
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) October 27, 2018
The men tipped off next at 7 p.m., looking to follow the women's success earlier.
The Timberwolves would be looking for a dominating season from Jovan Leamy. The Canadian lead the team in scoring last season (15.1 per game) and steals (1.4 per game) during the 2017-18 season.
They would also look for a big season from Vaggelis Loukas. The Greece native led the team in rebounding (7.3 per game) and blocks (0.5 per game). last season.
The first quarter saw UNBC come out on top with a 33-19 score but Mount Royal would dig into that lead, winning the second quarter 21-17.
UNBC was lead by Leamy who scored 17 points and added three rebounds, one assist and three steals in the opening half.
Glen Yang had a monster first half for Mount Royal dropping 20 points going 7-of-10 on field goal attempts. He also added four rebounds, two assists and one steal.
UNBC went to the dressing room with a 50-40 lead at halftime and the second half was similar to the ladies, tight and completive.
Agyeman would lead the way for the Timberwolves in the latter half with eight points while adding two rebounds, two assists. Vaggelis Loukas also had a strong second adding six points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Samuel Willis III stepped up for the Cougars in the second half scoring 11 points while adding two rebounds, one assist and one steal.
UNBC shot 51.6 per cent from the field in the second half. Mount Royal would go 38.2 per cent from the floor while shooting 33.3 per cent from downtown.
The Timberwolves finished the night shooting 48.6 per cent and 37.5 per cent on three-pointers. The team added 40 rebounds and 12 turnovers for the 95-80 win.
Leamy led UNBC scoring 21 on the night while Agyeman added 19.
MBB: The @UNBCBasketball takes out the @MRUCougars 95-80 to start the season 1-0! JV Leamy leads @UNBC with 21 points, James Agyeman adds 19, and Spencer Ledoux chips in 9 in his first @CanadaWest game! pic.twitter.com/XItTGDsFUf
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) October 27, 2018
Mount Royal finished 43.8 per cent for field goals while shooting 27.8 per cent from three. They added 36 rebounds and committed 16 turnovers.
