Playing their final home game of the regular season, the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves held off a gritty effort from the Grant MacEwan Griffins and defeated the visitors in an 80-62 for their eighth consecutive victory.
In the first quarter, it was the UNBC seniors who stepped up. Maria Mongomo opened the game with a three-pointer to help her lock up the Canada West scoring title, and her T-wolves teammate, fellow fifth-year Emily Holmes, made a pair of treys of her own. Mackenzie Farmer did well to slash to the hoop for a pair of tough hoop and harm buckets, but the T-wolves held a 23-9 lead 10 minutes.
In the second half, UNBC’s pace on the offensive end slowed a little, likely a result of playing again with just six players. The Griffins were unable to take advantage, as their offense went stagnant as well. Shannon Majeau’s length proved to be effective as she earned a pair of putbacks, but the T-wolves’ post Emma vanBruinessen picked up her game on the offensive glass, picking up points off rebounds. UNBC led 45-21 at halftime.
In the opening minutes of the second half, it was the Griffins who came out inspired. Farmer continued to slash with great success, while Hayley Lalor did well to earn a tough bucket, as GMU cut into the deficit. The Griffins went on a 14-2 run, but Mongomo put her stamp on the game by bullying her way to the hoop for UNBC buckets. After three quarters, the T-wolves led 56-39.
“In the first half, we were kind of getting outworked a little bit, but we just came out ready in the second half,” said MacEwan’s Majeau. “It was our last 20 minutes of the season, so we just left it all out there. Everyone was giving those extra effort plays that got us those 50-50 balls back.”
The Griffins continued to work hard and earn their points in the final frame, as Majeau asserted herself well with four early points. Mongomo continued to drive the T-wolves at the other end, but got good contributions from the Landry sisters, Madison and Rebecca.
Mongomo led the way with 29 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and three steals, claiming the Canada West scoring title in the process. Holmes added 13 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Emma vanBruinessen hauled in 17 rebounds, had seven points and six steals.
“I really appreciate it, and I think that it’s a good example of for how working hard always gets a good result,” said Mongomo. “I’ve been working hard and focusing on what I had to do, and this was the result.”
For MacEwan, Majeau drove the bus offensively. She put up 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Farmer added 16 points and four boards. Darian Mahmi also scored in double figures with 12 points.
“We’re still young. We’re having the same team next year. We don’t really have any graduating players, so going into next year we’re basically starting from where we are now,” said Majeau. “It’s just really exciting because we’re all going to be here and we can build off of this season.”
The game marked the final homecourt appearance for Holmes and Mongomo, who each played their full five-year careers with the Timberwolves. UNBC will now head to Lethbridge for a playoff matchup with the Pronghorns.
“We came together and we definitely fought for it tonight, and it wasn’t easy,” said Holmes, postgame. “Everyone showed up to play, and made it easy for each other, which made the game fun. When the game is fun, it doesn’t get any better than that.”
The T-wolves (11-9) finished ninth, tied with eighth-place Lethbridge (11-9), each with 22 points. The teams not play each other in the season but the Pronghorns clinched the right to host a play-in playoff game on Friday because their ratings performance (.5151) was higher than that of the T-wolves (.2979). Canada West teams play an unbalanced schedule and the RPI considers the strength of each team’s schedule to determine playoff seedings.
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