Noelle Kilbreath drives to the hoop in a packed UNBC gym on Friday (Courtesy UNBC).
Noelle Kilbreath drives to the hoop in a packed UNBC gym on Friday (Courtesy UNBC).
February 7, 2020

Stagnant second quarter costs Griffins in 84-63 loss to Timberwolves

Box Score Preview

Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics

-with files from UNBC Athletics

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – With their offence running stagnant in the second quarter, the MacEwan Griffins fell into a hole they were unable to climb out of and ultimately lost 84-63 to the UNBC Timberwolves on Friday afternoon in front of 1,500 students.

The Griffins got caught turning the ball over amid a wave of momentum for the home side and were outscored 29-7 in the second quarter.

"I think it just took us a little bit to find our flow offensively against their zone," said MacEwan head coach Katherine Adams. "We went through motions and put people in positions but didn't actually force defenders to guard us. When you don't make the defence play you, it's easy for them to generate touches and steals and gain some momentum that leads to some easy scores. I think that played a part of it."

Maria Mongomo led the way for the Timberwolves with 21 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and five steals, while Madison Landry added 20 points, three boards, and two assists. But what killed the Griffins is UNBC found a third star in their attack as Emma vanBruinessen poured in 20 points, 12 rebounds, and four steals.

"She was excellent for them today," said Adams. "I thought she outworked us completely inside. She had five O-boards and scores off of that.

"We know they have been dominated by two players, so for them to have a third player step up like that and for us to allow her to have that type of game, it certainly puts us on our heels."

Mackenzie Farmer led the Griffins with 16 points, seven rebounds, and three dimes. Drew Knox scored 10 points to go along with five rebounds, while Hannah Gibb made three treys for nine points.

"Mackenzie brought a lot of positive energy and really carried us for portions today – being assertive, attacking and scoring," said Adams.

In the first quarter, with the Northern Sport Centre buzzing with energy, both teams came out with a frenetic pace. It was the TWolves out to an early lead thanks to Mongomo burying a three-pointer and layup in the early minutes. MacEwan would settle down, leaning on Farmer, who had nine points in the opening frame. UNBC held 17-12 lead after 10 minutes.

"It was a good environment for us, because we had to rely on each other and the communication on the court, because you couldn't hear much," said Farmer of the large crowd of school kids. "Tomorrow, we need to bring the effort – diving on balls and helping each other up."

After falling behind 43-24 at the half on a tough second quarter, the Griffins rebounded in the third with Knox, Hayley Lalor and Gibb making three-pointers. But vanBruinessen was busy grabbing offensive rebounds and getting putbacks to keep UNBC out front by a large margin, 65-45.

"She has been so key at both ends of the floor," said UNBC's Madison Landry of vanBruinessen. "Without her, it would be next to impossible. The last few games she has found a way to score, and she has been huge for our team." 

The TWolves were able to hold off the Griffins from there. Farmer gave the UNBC defence trouble with her ability to penetrate and kick it to open shooters, and GMU showed great character, but the Mongomo-vanBruinessen-Landry trio was too big and too strong. At the final buzzer, UNBC had earned their seventh consecutive victory with an 84-63 win.

"It was a little bit frustrating, but I thought they outworked us in the first half," said Farmer. "We responded well, at times, but we were on our back foot. They took advantage."

MacEwan (2-17) heads into its final game of the season in Saturday's rematch against UNBC (10-9) at 6 p.m. MT (Canada West TV presented by Co-op).