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MBB: UBC (82) at MRU (69)

The USPORT number 9 ranked UBC Thunderbirds defeated MRU 82-69 in their first matchup of the weekend. 

The Cougars started strong, taking the tip off, but the T-Birds matched the energy. Kevointe Watts was an obvious target early on, with hard-marking coming from UBC's Jack Cruz-Dumont and Luka Lidek. 

This was not a friendly match. Both teams came out with something to prove, seen in their speed and aggression from the first whistle. 

It was truly a battle of Canada West, with the top two players for points per game going head to head: Holt Tomie and James Woods.

Tomie wanted to show he deserves to be in the top, and he did. In the first half Tomie couldn't miss whether it was an easy lay-up from the post, mid-range floater or a fade-away from the three, everything that left his hands found the netting. 

He had 19 of the 43 for the Cougars at half. But the T-Birds shifted defensive styles and shut down any opportunities Tomie had. He finished the night with 24 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and a block. 

The second quarter saw a technical foul for MRU head coach, Marc Dobell, shifting the momentum away from the Cougars squad. 

UBC started lighting up in the second half of play. Sukhman Sandhu went into the half with 11 points and six rebounds but finished the night with a double-double performance: 18 points, 13 rebounds and one block.

He wasn't the only Thunderbird with an impressive night. Triston Matthews, a 6'5" guard, had 16 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks, while the Surrey born guard James Woods led the squad with 19 points, five rebounds and three steals.

UBC set up a lock down defence, with Tomie getting marked harder and only allowed two points in the third quarter. 

Watts finished the night with 12 points, followed by Sam Barnie with eight of his own. MRU only shot 32 per cent as a team tonight. 

Mount Royal hosts UBC again tomorrow night for a 7 p.m. match-up. Catch the game in Kenyon Court or live on Canada West TV. 

Player of the game: Holt Tomie


WHKY: UBC (2) at MRU (0)

The University of British Columbia Thunderbirds shutout the Mount Royal University Cougars women's hockey team 2-0 on Friday night's tight matchup.
 
Coming into tonight's game, MRU (11-2-1) sat just one point behind the Thunderbirds (11-1-2) in the Canada West standings. Both teams certainly had these weekend games circled on their calendars.
 
It was evident that UBC and MRU were possibly feeling the nerves of how important tonight's game was. The Cougars lacked play driving early in the game and were unable to sustain pressure. The Thunderbirds looked out of sync and couldn't manage effective passes.
 
The sluggish start for both teams didn't offer a high event period and the shot count was 5-4 for Mount Royal and no goals after 20 minutes.
 
The Cougars found momentum in the second with a few concurrent powerplays. Aliya Jomha found Courtney Kollman sneaking in for a backdoor chance but Kollman was robbed by Thunderbirds' netminder Elise Hugens.
 
Hugens and MRU's Kaitlyn Ross have put themselves at the forefront of the midseason goalie of the year conversation. Ross came into the game with a staggering 0.945 save percentage and 1.19 goals against average. However, Elise Hugens was the star tonight. She made 32 saves for her second shutout of the year.
 
Hugens came up big again after she shut the door on Lyndsey Janes' deke in tight on a partial break.
 
The Thunderbirds scored on a shorthanded beauty from Cassidy Rhodes. Rhodes used her incredible speed to split the Cougars' defence and deked it through Kaitlyn Ross.
 
Despite the Cougars turning up the pressure, Hugens stayed steady and kept MRU goalless.
 
UBC added an insurance goal in the third period. Grace Elliott ripped one past Ross to make it 2-0.
 
Cougars Coach Scott Rivett pulled Ross for an extra attacker late in the game but Mount Royal were unable to solve the Thunderbirds and were handed a loss that puts them three points behind UBC for first in Canada West
 
Rivett's squad will look for redemption tomorrow at 3 p.m. again UBC. Tickets are available here or you can watch the game live on Canada West TV.
 
Player of the game: Lyndsey Janes


WBB: UBC (79) at MRU (81)

UBC Thunderbirds lose their perfect record after MRU women bring home their second win of the season. 

Cougars women's basketball did not disappoint during Friday's student night at Kenyon Court. MRU appeared undersized compared to the Thunderbirds, but defied expectations and won 81-79.

The women were strong out the gate with Tanis Metcalfe winning the tip. It became a dominant first quarter for Mount Royal with smooth passing and communication allowing Jenessa Ramsoomair to drop the first basket of the night from 10 feet out. She continued on to finish the night with nine points, seven rebounds and two steals.

UBC came into the night ranked second in Canada West compared to MRU sitting in 12th, with the Thunderbirds having size and a better record on their side.

MRU came from behind, initially trailing 11-5 before going on a seven point run. The quarter ended with MRU up by eight, with a score 23-15.

Mount Royal had the assert presence they've been lacking on defence tonight, able to shut down the majority of attacks from the UBC squad. 

Sara Toneguzzi was one of the few Thunderbirds able to put up substantial numbers in the first half of tonight's game. At half Toneguzzi was at 10 points and two steals. The second half MRU actively worked to shut her down, only allowing her five more points and one steal. 

Olivia Weekes would step up in Toneguzzi's place, putting up 26 of the team's 79, as well as eight rebounds. 

Madison Hooper had a notable night with six three-pointers, one coming on a shot clock buzzer beater half way into the second quarter to increase MRUs lead to 36-27.

Both Hooper and Ramsoomair were solid on offence tonight, with Hooper covering the arch while Ramsoomair dominated everywhere within. 

Hooper finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and four steals on 60 per cent shooting from the arch. 

This performance earned her player of the game honours.

UBC just barely overtook the lead in the final few minutes of the first half, leading by 1 against MRU after 20 minutes of play. 

The third quarter of play was a more typical UBC team, driving the basket and holding the lead. At one point, the Thunderbirds were up nine on Mount Royal. But in the final five minutes of play Cougars found a new fire.

MRU sunk back-to-back buckets. Kiana Ker made a stunning three from the corner before Jaime Lalor was able to hit a lay-up after grabbing a steal. Ramsoomair was a nightmare for the T Birds, with a picture perfect block that led to an eruption of cheer from the bench.

60 seconds on the clock, a huge interception by Hooper to a fake from the three point, and finally a dime pass through traffic to find Ker in the post for an easy lay-up, tying the score.
The final decision wasn't made until the final seconds counted down on the clock.

Tanis Metcalfe was fouled by Cerys Merton in the post leading her to shoot two. Neither made it and UBC was given possession, but it was quickly turned over after a poorly timed pass off the sideline. Merton hustled back on defence but fouled again, this time on Lalor. 

Lalor sunk both and brought Mount Royal into the lead. A big effort by UBC couldn't come to fruition after a three point shot from Hailey Counsell only found the rim, giving MRU possession and the victory. 

UBC now sits 4-1 on the season while MRU improves to 2-3. 

Both squads will rematch tomorrow night in Kenyon Court with a 5 p.m. tip-off. Catch the game on campus or live on Canada West TV.

Player of the game: Madison Hooper.


Away Games:

MHKY: MRU (3) at UBC (4)

MVB: MRU (3) at UFV (1)

WVB: MRU (3) at UFV (1)