Justin Sunga matched a single-game team record with 10 assists to help the UNBC Timberwolves to a 97-66 Canada West men’s basketball victory over the visiting MacEwan Griffins Friday night at the Northern Sport Centre.
Six T-wolves finished with double-digit point totals as UNBC improved to 2-1.
while guard Justin Sunga matched a UNBC single-game record with 10 assists.
Eight different T-wolves registered points in the opening quarter as the hosts rushed out to a 27-16 lead. UNBC held the Griffins to 33.3 per cent shooting in the opening and forced the visitors to make seven turnovers in the opening 10 minutes.
In the second quarter, Josh Gillespie, Evgeny Baukin, Justin Sunga and Darren Hunter all scored during an 11-0 run that upped the T-wolves lead to 16 points. On the defensive side of the floor, Baukin provided two big blocks in quick succession underneath the rim to keep the home crowd energized. His impact was equally impressive on the offensive side of the floor as he led all T-wolves with 11 points to increase the UNBC lead to 49-33 at the half.
The floodgates opened further in the third quarter as UNBC outscored GMU by a 29 – 17 margin. Hunter drilled a pair of threes and added a steal and led all T-wolves with 15 points at the end of three. Other third quarter highlights included an emphatic dunk from Will Keyes and four assists from Sunga.
Sunga tied the record in spectacular fashion in the fourth quarter with an alley-oop feed to Baukin. It marked the second time in the calendar year Sunga has accomplished that feat. He snagged 10 assists on January 23rd against Mount Royal. Sunga’s Friday stat line ended with 14 points, 10 assists and four steals.
Spencer Ledoux finished as the top UNBC scorer with 16 points while Josh Gillespie bagged 12 rebounds.
MacEwan(0-5) was led by Milan Jaksic who notched a game-high 21 points and had nine rebounds.
The T-wolves and Griffins will clash once again Saturday in Prince George at 7 p.m.
