It wasn’t easy, but the UNBC Timberwolves got the job done. Sergey Shchepotkin’s team held off a gritty UBC Thunderbirds effort, and earned a 77-65 victory on Thursday, February 17th, 2022, in Prince George, BC.
“This gives us a lot of confidence. Just hearing the name UBC and win in the same sentence, talking about us, is a great feeling,” said UNBC forward Laura Garmendia Garcia. “We saw they were a beatable team, so we were working harder and harder.”
Early in the first quarter, the Thunderbirds came out then hungrier, more assertive team, using repeated Kate Johnson penetrations to break down the UNBC defense and take an early lead. The Timberwolves would settle down, fueled by reserve guard Anastasia Soltes and her deadly combination of speed and energy. The Calgary native would get a pair of fast-break buckets, and the TWolves would take a 21-18 lead into the second frame.
UNBC got out to a hot start to begin the quarter, with leading scorer Alina Shakirova getting a layup and three-pointer to go, while veteran guard Lucy Guan made a trey of her own as the TWolves stretched the lead to 29-20. TBirds forward Dina Strujic would settle the visitors with a pair of tough baskets in the paint to cut into the deficit.
Late in the quarter, both teams traded buckets, and any separation proved to be elusive, with the Timberwolves holding a 35-34 lead after 20 minutes.
Soltes and Shakirova led UNBC with eight points apiece, while Johnson’s 10 paced the Thunderbirds. The teams were dead even in rebounds, turnovers, and assists.
The third quarter belonged to the Timberwolves, as they clamped down defensively on the T-Birds. Shakirova started things off with another trey, and senior post Emma vanBruinessen earned a pair of signature baskets under the hoop as the home team grew their lead much to the delight of the crowd at the Northern Sport Centre. Soltes was big off the bench again, wreaking havoc with fellow reserves Laura Garmendia Garcia and Sarah Kuklisin, as they combined on some fast break finishes. When the quarter ended, the TWolves had won the frame 23-11 and held a 58-45 advantage with ten minutes to go.
“Usually we go into halftime talking about how in the third quarter we need to push it, get the lead, and keep the lead,” said UBC’s Strujic. “I don’t think we were prepared for today’s game. We wanted a win, but we have to dial in, be mentally tough, and get through it.”
The T-Birds started to chip away early in the fourth, led by Johnson, who may find her way to the Canada West All-Star honours at season’s end. Garmendia Garcia was up to the task, using her European footwork for some pretty post move finishes, and UNBC clung to their double-digit lead.
“I am getting used to U SPORTS, the team, and how things work here compared to back home,” said the Spanish Garmendia Garcia. “I guess I am happy I am getting used to this league, and I hope it shows.”
Every time the Thunderbirds applied pressure and showed signs of chipping away, the TWolves responded. Shakirova proved why she is one of the conference’s best players, and was helped by the inside trio of vanBruinessen, Sveta Boykova, and Laura Garmendia Garcia, who fought for every rebound and loose ball. When the final buzzer sounded, UNBC had earned a 77-65 win over the Thunderbirds, improving to 7-7 on the season.
“We really wanted to win against them, so everyone was mentally prepared coming into the game,” said Garmendia Garcia. “Everyone was willing to give the best they had, and it worked out.”
Alina Shakirova led the way with 19 points, three rebounds, three assists, and four rebounds. Soltes added 14 points and four assists, while Garmendia Garcia had 13 rebounds and four rebounds.
Johnson led UBC with 17 points and four, while Strujic scored in double figures with 11 points, to go along with six rebounds.
“They ran the court really well,” said Strujic. “Miscommunication on transition, and they really beat us inside.”
