UNBC's women's basketball team lost its sixth-straight game Saturday in CIS Canada West action.
UBC Thunderbirds beat the Timberwolves 84-58 at War Memorial Gymnasium in Vancouver.
The loss was the second-straight for the Prince George team on the weekend during a two-game road trip series against UBC. The Timberwolves fall to 4-12, while UBC improves to 11-5 in the CIS Pacific Division.
"Those were two tough games against UBC, a top team in Canada," said UNBC head coach Sergey Shchepotkin. "In the first game [a 79-58 loss] we played very good and were good on defence, but we're still an inexperienced team."
The game was tied 18-18 at the end of the first quarter, but UBC took a 10-point lead with three and a half minutes remaining in the second quarter and were up 43-27 by the end of the first half. There were 11 lead changes in the game, all occurring in the first quarter.
UBC racked up 21 steals.
As she did Friday night, fifth-year veteran Mercedes Van Koughnett led the charge for UNBC with 17 points, while Sarah Robin and Mavia Nijjer collected 14 and 11 points respectively.
The Timberwolves are still without veteran Jen Bruce who remains on the disabled list with a concussion.
"The younger players are getting in but I can see improvement in them," Shchepotkin said. "We're just having too many ups and downs."
The road doesn't get any easier for UNBC.
They're in Saskatoon Friday night for a game against the 14-2 University of Saskatchewan Huskies and follow that up Saturday in Edmonton against the 14-2 University of Alberta Pandas. The Pandas lead the Prairie Division and have clinched a playoff spot.
Shchepotkin is staying positive about the upcoming challenge.
"That'll be a tough road trip but I keep telling them to play their best, play good defence and be confident," he said. "They're trying their best even when they're struggling."
UNBC's men's basketball team also fell to a 4-12 record Saturday, after a 86-65 loss at UBC.
It was the Timberwolves fifth-straight loss in as many weeks and remain one spot out of last place in the CIS Canada West Pacific Division.
UBC improved to an even .500 at 8-8 and fourth place in the Pacific Division.
UBC outscored UNBC 23-13 on second-chance points thanks to their 15-7 edge in offensive rebounding.
Charles Barton, UNBC's 6'3" fifth-year forward posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds off the glass.
Frank Olivier Kouagnia also wracked up17 points and grabbed six rebounds.
UNBC travels to the Prairies this weekend. They'll visit the 12-4 University of Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon and follow it up in Edmonton with the Prairie Division leaders University of Alberta Golden Bears (14-2) on Saturday.
