Graduating fifth-years Saje Gosal and Anthony Hokanson combined for 40 points on Senior Night, leading the UNBC Timberwolves to a 99-80 win over the Grant MacEwan Griffins in the season finale Saturday at the Northern Sport Centre.
T-wolves’ point guard Tyrell Laing had 20 points and three assists to finish as the Canada West scoring champion.
In the first quarter, veterans Gosal and Hokanson set the tone. Hokanson made a three-pointer on the first possession, and Gosal made one just a minute later, as the Timberwolves got out to an early lead.
“It felt very free. The news of missing playoffs last night was unfortunate, but we all committed to come out tonight and play hard as we can,” said Hokanson. “Play as free as we can, and have as much as fun as we can, and I think we did that tonight.”
The Griffins settled in and chipped away at the lead as Abdullah Shittu and Jake Notice did most of the damage. After 10 minutes, the T-wolves clung to a 22-21 lead.
In the second quarter, the roof nearly came off the NSC. Freshman sensation Fareed Shittu hammered down two dunks and blocked two shots, which thrilled the Prince George crowd. From there, the T-wolves built momentum as Laing, Vova Pluzhnikov, Gosal and Hokanson all made treys. When Laing’s buzzer-beating three swished through the net, UNBC’s lead had grown to 57-42.
“It was amazing. It was so much fun. The guys worked so hard for us, and I appreciated it so much,” said Gosal. “Anthony and I were able to hit some shots early, and then we all rode a wave together. The energy of the crowd, the city, and all the players. It was really special.”
The Griffins started to claw back in the third, as Deonte Doslov-Doctor, playing in his final Canada West game, was able to convert a pair of three-pointers, and Shittu threw down a thunderous dunk of his own. However, the T-wolves had answers at the other end, as freshman Fareed Shittu and Saymon Loki crashed the glass and created opportunities at the rim. With 10 minutes left UNBC was up 77-65 .
Doslov-Doctor continued to fire away in his farewell, as did the UNBC seniors playing their final game, and the T-wolves did enough to sustain the lead.
“It was definitely a green light for me today, 100 percent,” said Doslov-Doctor, postgame. “I wanted to go out with a bang. We wanted to make it a fun day, and hopefully go out with a win.”
Hokanson led the way with 23 points, nine rebounds, and three assists, while Gosal added 17 points. Pluzhnikov went for 20 points, five boards, and seven assists. The four combined to make 16 three-pointers on 32 attempts. Fareed Shittu chipped in with 10 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots.
“I am going to miss that feeling before the game on Friday or Saturday, an hour before, getting those juices flowing,” said Hokanson, postgame. “There is nothing like it, and I don’t know if anything will ever replace that to be honest.”
Notice led the way for the Griffins with 25 points and 5 rebounds. Doslov-Doctor had 18 points and six rebounds, while Abdullah Shittu added 15 points and seven rebounds.
“I am going to miss being around the team,” said Doslov-Doctor. “It has been really good. I am really happy to help our young guys wherever I can. I love everything about basketball. Shooting threes, running the floor, playing defense. I just love the game.”
“I am going to remember my teammates,” said Gosal. “My teammates stepping up and being special people off the court, and making special plays on the court.”
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