What else can you say about Vova Pluzhnikov?
He already made history earlier this season when he became the first man in UNBC men's basketball history to record a triple-double since the Timberwolves made the move to Canada West.
Last night (Nov. 22), he struck once again to give the team a 78-76 win.
Pluzhnikov and Tyrell Lang were strong for UNBC in the first quarter while the WolfPack had its way inside the paint which led to easy points for Anton Bilous and Joe Davis.
After one, the score was deadlocked 19-19.
Rohjae Colbert and Tyus De Vries wreaked havoc on the Timberwolves in the second frame with size and speed but Kamloops product Spencer Ledoux would respond for UNBC and finished with eight points in the first half.
Heading into the locker room, TRU would hold a 40-39 lead.
The third quarter was the same tale as the first half, with the team's neck and neck. But in the late minutes of the frame, UNBC would struggle from the field and the WolfPack went into the final quarter with a 62-55 lead.
The Timberwolves came out and would put up six-straight points but the dramatics came with less than 10 seconds left.
Freshman Fareed Shittu, who has also been exceptional on the year, made a highlight-reel block which would give UNBC their final possession.
Pluzhnikov decided to call game, drove the lane, drew contact and finished an extremely tough shot for the and-one.
WATCH THIS! Down 76-75 with less than ten seconds left, @UNBCBasketball guard @VovaPluzhnikov did this. Mr 4th Quarter leads @UNBC to a 78-76 win over the @GoTRUWolfPack! pic.twitter.com/fZoicVRieh
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) November 23, 2019
TRU would get the last shot but De Vries rang his three attempt off the iron and the Timberwolves held on to win.
“What can you say about a guy like Vova. He is our engine,” UNBC's Anthony Hokanson said postgame. “He was controlling the tempo for us and getting us to where we needed to get to. But we also wouldn’t be there without execution from guys like Tyrell and Fareed.”
"The Ukraine Maker" finished with 23 points, five rebounds and four assists. Tyrell Laing also chipped in with 20, six rebounds and four assists.
WHAT A WIN!! A @VovaPluzhnikov And-1 with five seconds to go to give @UNBCBasketball the 78-76 victory over @GoTRUWolfPack! pic.twitter.com/PuBlvCGF0T
— Rich Abney (@RichAbney) November 23, 2019
The WolfPack were led by Joe Davis who finished the night with 34 points and four rebounds. De Vries added 12 and seven rebounds.
“We play each other a few times a year and we know each other’s style,” Pluzhnikov added. “We know what TRU runs, and it’s a matter of each team picking their poison.”
POSTGAME: @UNBCBasketball guard @VovaPluzhnikov talks about his game-winning layup, the strengths of @GoTRUWolfPack, and his battle with fellow Ukrainian (and childhood friend @anton_bilous) Rematch tomorrow night! pic.twitter.com/wITXGLIAoh
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) November 23, 2019
