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MBB: UNBC (71) at MRU (83)

MRU men's basketball regained their winning record after defeating the UNBC Timberwolves 83-71 their Friday night match up at Kenyon Court. 

The Cougars stormed the court, ready to play tonight, starting the game up by 12 after the first quarter. 

Same Barnie was the star of the first half. He was electric from three, the Timberwolves unable to shut him down. 

Kevointe Watts wasn't the player we are accustomed to seeing, with UNBC setting a hard press on the guard, stopping him clean. 

Holt Tomie was able to break through the visitor defence, finishing the night with 24 points, eight rebounds, six assists and a steal. 

The second quarter saw big numbers from the Cougars, but saw a fire ignite within the Wolves. UNBC was able to outshoot MRU and begin to close the gap created early, putting up 22 points on the board, and reducing the lead to seven. 

Half way through the third, MRU's lead was almost compl diminished, UNBC only trailing by two before Ijah Watson brought the momentum back with a long two. 

Darren Hunter, a second year guard for the Timberwolves, was a dominating factor on the floor with Fareed Shittu and Spencer Ledoux in the post. This trio made the most impact on bringing momentum in their favour going into the second half of play. 

The lead dropped the five at the end of the third quarter, Hunter and Shittu making moves for the Timberwolves while Aaron Fernandes stepped up on the Cougars side. The main battle was under the rim, both teams becoming increasingly aggressive as they fought for possession. 

The Cougars held UNBC to only 28 per cent shooting by the end of the third. Four minutes into the final quarter of play the Timberwolves found their first lead of the night, with Micah Jesse finding the net, going up one over MRU. 

Tomie took matters into his own hands, driving the rim, making the basket and sunk the and-one. Barnie continued the energy, with a tip in to bring MRU back up by four. 

Watts finally made his first basket of the night with four and half minutes left of play, with a smooth layup on the left side, MRU now ahead by six. He continued on to have eight by the final whistle.

The last three minutes belonged to the Cougars, with precision passing and clean baskets. They were able to rediscover their rhythm from early in the night, and topped the visitors 83-71. 

Mawien Mawien was named the player of the game tonight, and rightfully so after finishing with 18 points on 50 per cent shooting along with 16 rebounds He had already recorded a double double by the end of the first half. 

"That's my job," said Mawien. "I'm just happy the shots were falling tonight and we got the W."

Both teams are back in the gym tomorrow night for a 7 p.m. tip off. Catch the game live or on Canada West TV. 

Go Cougars. 


Player of the game: Mawien Mawien



WBB: UNBC (47) at MRU (61)

The Mount Royal Cougars women's basketball team put on a show Friday night, beating the University of Northern British Columbia 61-47.

Jordan Blaskin and Madison Hooper propelled the Cougars early in the first, creating a clean lead to start but quickly lost their step against an increased Timberwolf pressure. 

Kiara Ker and Hooper were strong players in what was a foul heavy quarter of play.

Jaime Lalor drives the net heading into the final minute of the first to bring the lead back in Mount Royal's favour. 

Alina Shakirova was a huge player tonight, to no one's surprise. Cougars end the first up 16-14 over the Timberwolves. 

The game stayed close throughout the second, neither team able to take off and create a lead over the other. Shakirova combined with Adaiah Tupas-Singh were the heaviest threat against MRU, but Isabella Faba was always ready and in position to guard the arch. 

Jenessa Ramsoomair caught a dime pass from Lalor in the post for an easy lay-up to end the half, creating a six point lead for MRU, 31-25.

MRU was held to nine points in the third, while UNBC was only able to put up 12. 

Two minutes into the fourth Mount Royal had put down eight before Shakirova met the block of Ramsoomair, going to the line and shooting two.  

Blaskin made a quick recovery off a UNBC turnover, drove the basket for a quick fake before a smooth layup, increasing the Cougars lead to 14. 

MRU owned the fourth quarter, adding 21 to the board, and finishing with an impressive 15 point lead over the Timberwolves. This was the comeback and start to the weekend this Cougar squad was looking for in their first of two home weekends. 

Hooper finished the night with a team high 18 points on 50 per cent shooting. She was named the Cougars player of the game with four steals and four rebounds also added to the stats sheet.

"I couldn't have done it without my team making great screens and great passes," said Hooper. "We are really able to push it and challenge them at the end of every quarter. We need to keep playing our brand." 

Shakirova finished the game with 19 on 43 per cent for UNBC, with seven rebounds. 

Both teams are back in Kenyon Court tomorrow night for a 5 p.m. tip off. Catch the game live on campus or on Canada West TV.


Player of the game: Maddison Hooper