The UNBC Timberwolves basketball teams both head into their home opening weekend seeking their first regular-season wins, but will face a stiff test with the Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas coming to Prince George for games Friday and Saturday.
The UNBC men’s team dropped a pair of games against Winnipeg as they opened the season on the road last weekend and are looking forward to building off the energy this weekend at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre.
“The guys are extremely excited about playing in front of our crowd for home opener,” says UNBC head coach Todd Jordan. “It is always one of the highlights of the season.”
Rhys Elliott had the hot hand on the Prairies, scoring 49 points in the two losses. His 24.5 points per game average ranks second in the conference so far this season.
The Golden Bears are coming off a pair of wins at home against Brandon last weekend and are in a four-way tie at the top of the standings with a 2-0 record.
“Alberta is one of the most talented teams in Canada West,” says Jordan. “We are looking forward to the challenge they present and the opportunity to compete against a team of their level on our home floor.”
Forward Brody Clark has lead the attack, averaging 21.5 points on 63.6 per cent shooting and nine rebounds a game. Meanwhile the Golden Bears have connected on 34 per cent of the their three-point attempts on the opening weekend, led in large part by guard Austin Waddoups who drained seven baskets from beyond the arc in 18 attempts on the opening weekend.
This is the first visit the Golden Bears have made to the NSC for a regular season game in nearly four years. Alberta won their last game in Prince George 78-74 no Nov. 29, 2012. The Golden Bears also won the only other regular-season meeting between the teams, 96-70 in Edmonton on Feb. 1, 2014.
The UNBC women’s team is coming off a pair of losses in Winnipeg, the first one by only six points.
Last season’s USports All-Rookie Team member Maria Mongomo picked up where she left off last season as she leads Canada West with 10.5 rebounds a game after the opening weekend. Mongomo also holds the team lead with 13 points a game, slightly better than teammate Vasiliki Louka’s 12.5 average through two games.
The Pandas are also 2-0 following a pair of wins over Brandon. Senior guard Maddie Rogers led the way averaging 17 points and four rebounds a game.
The Pandas have also won both regular-season encounters against the Timberwolves, defeating UNBC 87-45 in Prince George in 2012 and 79-48 in Edmonton in 2014.
The women play at 6 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday. The men follow at 8 p.m. on Friday and 7 p.m. on Saturday.
