Box Score Friday, February 15, 2013 - Prince George, B.C...Game one of two between the two newest members of the CIS finished in favour of the Timberwolves. The UNBC Timberwolves (7-14) defeated the visiting Mount Royal Cougars (5-16) 71-66 on Friday, February 15 at the Northern Sport Centre (NSC).

The UNBC Timberwolves and Mount Royal Cougars share a similar accomplishment in that the 2012-2013 season marks the first time these institutions have competed in the CIS and therefore Canada West conference. Both teams looking to finish the season on a high note, it was the hometown Timberwolves who came out firing. Ten minutes into the game and the Timberwolves appeared to have control, with a 23-17 lead UNBC both out rebounded and out scored the Cougars.

Working the ball inside, the Timberwolves were able to maintain their lead into the break. Emily Kaehn (Hixon, BC) and Mercedes VanKoughnett (Prince George, BC) both registered double digits, 10 and 11 points respectively, in the first 20 minutes. Points in the paint were a positive for the Timberwolves but turnovers were not, decision making fell short for the Timberwolves in the last five minutes of the second quarter. The Cougars had enough unanswered possessions to close the gap, trailing 33-32 at half.

The Cougars maintained momentum through the third quarter. With each Mount Royal player making it onto the score sheet it was a battle of the benches. While the Timberwolves were relying on numbers from their starters the Cougars were getting a helpful push from their bench, with almost half of MRU's points at the end of the third coming from the bench. The Cougars pulled ahead with three minutes to play in the third and finished the quarter with a 52-49 lead.

The final ten minutes were a back and forth game, with each team going point for point for the first five minutes. The Cougars held their largest lead of the game with 3:27 left to play when Nikki Golding (Vernon, BC) hit a shot to put her team ahead 66-58. Golding's shot was also the last shot the Cougars would hit for the remainder of the game.

The Timberwolves put stepped up their defense and started to hit their shots at the other end. Timberwolves guard Jennifer Bruce (Langley, BC) was the driving force for the Timberwolves in the end. Bruce netted nine of the last 13 UNBC points, going 6-6 from the line.

Down the stretch the Timberwolves were able to force errors, which led to their 13-0 run to finish the game. At the final whistle it was UNBC 71 Mount Royal 66.

Leading scorers for Mount Royal were Hilary Annich (St. Albert, AB) with 11 points, and Emily Larson (Calgary, AB) with 10 points.

Mercedes VanKoughnett (Prince George, BC) and Emily Kaehn (Hixon, BC) led the Timberwolves with 15 and 14 points respectively. Jennifer Bruce (Langley, BC) chipped in 12, while lone fifth year Kady Dandeneau (Pender Island, BC) added 11.

Both teams will return to the NSC tomorrow night for the final game of their inaugural CIS season; tipoff is set for 6 p.m.