Things didn't go in the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves men's basketball team's favour on the final day of competition at the 45th annual Coca Cola Wesmen Classic in Winnipeg, but the overall experience gave the team an idea of what to expect next season.
The T-wolves fell 91-69 to the University of Manitoba Bisons in the consolation final Friday at the University of Winnipeg's Duckworth Centre, despite captain Dennis Stark's double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds).
"Aside from leading the team in scoring it was more along the lines of just opportunity and unfortunately the other guys weren't really able to hit," said Stark. "It's nice to have the ball go in when you shoot it, but as a forward on this team it's so important to secure the rebounds, which means we've got a defensive stop and we can go the other way and let our talented guards do the scoring the team needs. I take big pride in rebounding."
With the loss the T-wolves wrap up the tournament with a 1-2 record in sixth place in the eight team event. The Bisons had a 49-29 advantage at the half and led by double digits throughout the second half. A 53 per cent shooting percentage helped the Bisons' cause, as did Yigit Ozsayiner's game-high 16 points.
For the T-wolves, Jose Araujo chipped in with 11 points and four boards, but Stark said the biggest loss for UNBC was the mental games.
"They wound up having a few things go their way early and we let ourselves be effected mentally by it and allowed them to go on a run," said Stark. "In terms of skill, a lot of that shouldn't be a factor, it comes down to effort and focus."
UNBC will face the Bisons, Brandon University Bobcats and the host Wesmen on a regular basis next season when they join Canada West and Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS). But first the T-wolves will turn their attention to the second half of the PACWEST season, trying to improve upon their 4-2 record and earning another national championship.
"It's great practice for the guys that will be in the CIS league next year," said Stark, in his fifth and final year. "It's important to play against better competition to get better yourself. You'll never improve if you're not challenging yourself.
"All the teams in this tournament are definitely beatable if we'd of come to play for 40 minutes we would have beat every team we faced," he added.
The T-wolves only win came Thursday against the Minot State Beavers - a first-year NCAA Division II school - in a 70-52 triumph. UNBC opened the Classic with a 78-52 loss to the Brandon Bobcats.
The Beavers wrapped up seventh place with a 105-75 win over Keyano College. The bronze-medal game was fought between the host Wesmen and UBC Okanagan, while the Bobcats faced off with the Valley City Vikings for the gold.
"The losses don't mean it was a waste; it was very beneficial for us to be here," said Stark. "It was a really good tournament and the team learned a lot more stuff about ourselves and it reenforced a lot of things the coaches have been saying all year."
The T-wolves return to the Northern Sport Centre floor Jan. 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. against Kwantlen University and Langara College.
