The UNBC men's basketball team couldn't hold off a late third-quarter surge by the University of Fraser Valley Cascades and suffered a 62-60 loss Saturday night in Abbotsford.
Combined with a 82-59 loss on Friday, the Timberwolves fall to 0-4 in the Explorers Division of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Canada West Conference. The Cascades improved to 4-0 to lead the division.
Saturday night, the Timberwolves had a 32-27 lead at half-time and were ahead of the Cascades by as many as 14 points in the third quarter.
The Cascades rallied and held a 62-60 edge when Nate Brown scored the go-ahead basket on a hook shot with 36 seconds left in regulation.
Timberwolves forward Franco Kouagnia potential game-tying jumper came up short at the buzzer and the Cascades sealed the win.
Rys Elliott lead the Timberwolves offensively with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Michael Smith and Kouagnia had 13 and 12 points respectively.
Coming off the bench, Smith led UNBC with 13 points in Friday's loss.
The Cascades ran out to a 40-29 lead in the first half and outscored the Timberwolves by a 42-30 margin in the second half to secure the win.
UNBC's women's basketball squad is also 0-4 after suffering an 83-57 loss to UFV Friday and a 81-57 loss Saturday.
The Cascades improve to 4-0 and lead the Explorers Division while the Timberwolves are in last-place.
UNBC rookie forward Vasilila Louka led the team with a double-double Saturday with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Mavia Nijjer scored 12 points.
Guard Sarah Buckingham had a team-high 24 points in Friday's loss.
Both the UNBC men and women return home this weekend for the first time this season to host Calgary's Mount Royal Cougars.
On the women's side, the Cougars are 1-3 after a 60-55 victory against UBC Okanagan Saturday.
On the men's side, the Cougars are 2-2. They earned a split against UBCO on the weekend.
The women tip off Friday at 6 p.m., followed by the men at 8 p.m. at the Northern Sport Centre.
