Box Score Friday, February 15, 2013 - Prince George, B.C...Aloysisu Callaghan and Nick Loewen pulled the Mount Royal Cougars to a road win over the UNBC Timberwolves on Friday, February 15. The Cougars, now 5-16, defeated the Timberwolves, also 5-15, 99-91 at the Northern Sport Centre (NSC).

The Mount Royal Cougars and UNBC Timberwolves have one thing in common; they are the two newest members of the CIS and therefore the Canada West. The set of two games this weekend will be the final set for the two programs as neither in in playoff contention.

The first half was an up and down battle. A total of six lead changes and five ties throughout the half paint the picture perfectly. Both teams showing that they want to finish off their inaugural CIS season on a high note.

Joel Rybachuk (Vernon, BC) pushed the ball and controlled the floor for the Timberwolves. The fifth year guard netted a season high of 15 points in the first half alone.

Mount Royal opened up the scoring in the second quarter. After a handful of UNBC turnovers the Cougars were able to spread their lead to nine. The lead would not last long, as sharp shooting from Timberwolves Rybachuk and Bill Cheng (Richmond, BC) brought UNBC back within one point of the Cougars. Heading into the break Mount Royal led 43-42 over the Timberwolves.

Four more lead changes made the third quarter exciting for fans of both teams. In the third quarter the Cougars battled to widen their lead but the Timberwolves would not let that happen. The Cougars spread the scoring around, with just under half their points coming from their bench players. Mount Royal guard Aloysius Callaghan (Calgary, AB) set the tone for the Cougars with two big shots to make it a two-possession game twice during the third. The Cougars would head into the final quarter with a 64-62 lead over the Timberwolves.

Callaghan opened up in the final ten minutes. The third year guard netted 11 points in the last quarter, nine of which were three-pointers. Every time the Timberwolves got close the Cougars made sure that they kept their lead. Cougars forward Nick Loewen (Winnipeg, MB) put up 13 during the final stretch to help his team to a 99-91 finish.

Callaghan and Loewen led the Cougars with 26 points each, while Awet Abraha (Calgary, AB) added 15.

The Timberwolves had three players all score 20 points apiece. Sam Raphael (Prince George BC) and Joel Rybachuk (Vernon, BC) were two of the three to net 20; for Rybachuk this was a season high. Forward Charles Barton (Vernon, BC) put up 20 points while adding 11 rebounds; a season high for Barton along with his third double-double.

Both teams will return to the NSC for round two and their final game of the 2012-2013 season Saturday night; tipoff is set for 8 p.m.