Time is running out for UNBC's basketball squads to get into playoff contention and they'll be looking to take steps forward this weekend (Jan. 24-25) at the Northern Sport Centre in Prince George.
If the postseason were to start today, the top 12 teams in the Canada West standings qualify for the second season per se.
Both Timberwolves' teams currently sit in those final playoff spots with six games left in the regular season (four after this weekend's matchups).
The women's record is 5-9 after sweeping the UBCO Heat last weekend (Jan. 17 and 18) in Kelowna, which also saw Maria Mongomo become the leading scorer in UNBC women's history.
Her efforts were rewarded being named the third Canada West Star for the week.
Meanwhile, the men hold a record of 4-10 after they were swept by the Heat, also in Kelowna, currently on a seven-game losing streak.
Brandon University, on the other hand, has struggled all season to date with 1-13 records for both the women and men in the 2019-20 season.
Here's how the teams stack up against each other heading into the weekend tilts:
UNBC TIMBERWOLVES (WOMEN)
- Record: 5-9
- 12th in Canada West standings
- 70.6 points per game
- 71.1 points allowed per game
- Scoring leader: Madison Landry (19.5 per game)
- Rebounding leader: Maria Mongomo (9.3 per game)
- Assists leader: Emily Holmes (3.5 per game)
- Steals leader: Maria Mongomo (3.4 per game)
- Blocks leader: Emma vanBruinessen (0.7 per game)
BRANDON BOBCATS (WOMEN)
- Record: 1-13
- 16th in Canada West standings
- 54.2 points per game
- 79.1 points allowed per game
- Scoring leader: Adrianna Proulx (9.6 per game)
- Rebounding leader: Adrianna Proulx (5.1 per game)
- Assists leader: Hailey Maas (2.0 per game)
- Steals leader: Hailey Maas (1.7 per game)
- Blocks leader: Bailey Johnson (0.6 per game)
“We are excited about last weekend but we have to keep looking ahead," UNBC freshman Rebecca Landry says in a news release.
"Those wins were critical for us to have a chance at playoffs and now we have to keep fighting until the end of the season. We are focused.”
KEY MATCHUP: @BUBobcats forward @AdriannaProulx & @UNBCWomensBball forward @its_emmav headline a big @CanadaWest battle this weekend in Prince George! Hope to see you all at the @NorthernSport Centre to cheer on the TWolves, against a deep, big Bobcats team! pic.twitter.com/VwcW2KQkZo
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) January 24, 2020
UNBC TIMBERWOLVES (MEN)
- Record: 4-10
- 12th in Canada West standings
- 75.1 points per game
- 85.4 points allowed per game
- Scoring leader: Tyrell Laing (22.9 per game)
- Rebounding leader: Fareed Shittu (7.8 per game)
- Assists leader: Vova Pluzhnikov (4.3 per game)
- Steals leader: Vova Pluzhnikov, Fareed Shittu (1.1 per game)
- Blocks leader: Fareed Shittu (1.1 per game)
BRANDON BOBCATS (MEN)
- Record: 1-13
- 16th in Canada West standings
- 75.0 points per game
- 85.0 points allowed per game
- Scoring leader: Haashim Wallace (17.9 per game)
- Rebounding leader: Anthony Tsegakele (11.9 per game)
- Assists leader: Dominique Dennis (3.4 per game)
- Steals leader: Shun Williams (2.4 per game)
- Blocks leader: Shun Williams (1.1 per game)
“It’s very important because our season is almost and playoffs are around the corner," UNBC's Saymon Loki adds in the same release.
"We know what needs to be done. If we don’t start winning games again, our season will end sooner than we want it to.”
KEY MATCHUP: Two of the most dynamic scoring guards in @CanadaWest will go head to head this weekend as @BUBobcats' @HaashimW & @UNBCBasketball's @tyrelllaing battle it out. 8 PM Friday, 7 PM Saturday at @NorthernSport! pic.twitter.com/EMXo7Lne0C
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) January 24, 2020
The women tipoff at 6 p.m. tonight (Jan. 24) and 5 p.m. tomorrow while the men are scheduled for 8 p.m. tonight and 7 p.m. tomorrow evening.
