'En Fuego' means 'on fire' and UNBC's Maria Mongomo continues to be just that.
After becoming the UNBC leading scorer in women's basketball program's history last weekend in Kelowna and back-to-back 30-point games, she kept the hot hand going Friday (Jan. 24) on home-court in Prince George.
Mongomo's performances against the UBC-Okanagan Heat marked the first time a Canada West women's basketball player had done so in eight years, and completed the trifecta last night in a 78-67 victory against the visiting Brandon Bobcats.
The Bobcats came into the matchup with only one win on the year, while the Timberwolves were looking to extend their win streak to three and stay in the playoff picture.
The first quarter was tight with not much wiggle room, but Mongomo took over and scored 11 to give UNBC an 18-14 lead.
The tight play would continue in the second with Emma vanBruinessen dominating the paint for the Timberwolves, scoring easy layups and crashing the boards to grab rebounds.
23 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 steals for @its_emmav as @UNBCWomensBball tops @BUBobcats 78-67, earning her the @MrMikesPG Player of the Game! pic.twitter.com/OmRmulna4Z
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) January 25, 2020
UNBC would head into the locker room up 39-31.
The Lady T-Wolves started the second half with strong defense, making numerous stops and making the most of their chances with points at the other end.
Mongomo continued to carve Brandon's defence and helped UNBC to a 62-47 advantage with 10 minutes left.
The Bobcats chipped away in the fourth, but the Timberwolves held their ground and came out with a 78-67 win at home.
“We just need W’s, honestly,” said vanBruinessen, postgame. “I don’t think we played awesome. Tomorrow (Jan. 25), if we play our game, I think we can pull off another win.”
Mongomo, the fifth-year Spainard, finished with 31 points, 12 rebounds, six steals and two assists, while vanBruinessen also had a strong night with a season-high 23 points, 12 rebounds and three steals.
With the win, UNBC now holds a 6-9 record and remain in the 12th and final playoff spot.
The two squads go back at it tonight, 5 p.m. at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre.
POSTGAME: Hear from @its_emmav after her big double double in @UNBCWomensBball's 78-67 victory over the @BUBobcats! Rematch tomorrow on @CanadaWest TV at 5 PM! pic.twitter.com/nh3joeaxOg
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) January 25, 2020
