Timberwolves’ Canada West school scoring and assists records likely to fall tonight

UNBC Women’s Basketball Preview
Friday, November 26^th vs UBC Thunderbirds at 6 p.m.
Saturday, November 27^th vs UBC Thunderbirds at 5 p.m.

UNBC Timberwolves – (3-1)
3rd in West Division Standings
71.0 Points Scored Per Game
60.3 Points Allowed Per Game
Scoring Leader: Alina Shakirova (24.5 Per Game)
Rebounding Leader: Sveta Boykova (14.0 Per Game)
Assists Leader: Lucy Guan (3.3 Per Game)
Steals Leader: Sarah Kuklisin (3.3 Per Game)
Blocks Leader: Lucy Guan (0.5 Per Game)

Player To Watch: Rebecca Landry, F
11.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.8 SPG
In her second season of eligibility, Rebecca Landry has rounded out her game all over the court. The 2020 UNBC Female Rookie of the Year is playing big minutes for a young TWolves roster, upping her scoring, rebounding, assists, and efficiency. Against a long and talented T-Birds program, the Prince George native will need to dynamic at both ends.

UBC Thunderbirds – Record (2-4)
5th in West Division Standings
66.0 Points Scored Per Game
68.4 Points Allowed Per Game
Scoring Leader: Hailey Counsell (16.0 Per Game)
Rebounding Leader: Olivia Weekes, Dina Strujic (6.5 Per Game)
Assists Leader: Kate Johnson (3.6 Per Game)
Steals Leader: Kate Johnson (2.6 Per Game)
Blocks Leader: Azayla Forstbauer (0.8 Per Game)

Player To Watch: Kate Johnson, G
15 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.6 APG, 2.6 SPG
Year four figures to be a big one for UBC’s do-everything guard Kate Johnson. The veteran leader of the T-Birds is the lead ball-handler and can fill the scoresheet in a variety of ways, including a 29-point effort last week vs UBCO. The Timberwolves will need to deny Johnson open shots, and look to get the ball out of her hands.

Quotes:
UNBC’s Anastasia Soltes

On the matchup with the Thunderbirds…
“They are a really good team. We are small this year, and they are big, so that may cause some difficulty for us. We have been doing a lot of work in practice, with the smalls working with the bigs, just to get used to that potential mismatch on the court. I think we have a good shot of beating them.”

On scouting a team they haven’t played in two years…
“We can watch them on tape, but in person, on the court, we don’t really know what we are expecting. It is a lot more nerve-wracking, and there is a lot more preparation going into these games.”

On the 3-1 start to the season…
“It was a bit iffy this year, with how small we were. We definitely are at a disadvantage. It is nice to see we have the potential to do well, and we shouldn’t feel as much like the underdogs. We have a shot at beating every team.”

On playing at the Northern Sport Centre…
“Having the fans cheer us on and being able to look in the crowd and see familiar faces definitely helps. It alleviates the fear a little bit, of playing such a good team. Hopefully that feeling will help us.”

Milestone Watch

-Alina Shakirova needs 38 points to reach 600 for her Canada West career
-Rebecca Landry needs 30 points to reach 200 for her Canada West career
-Sarah Kuklisin leads all freshmen in U SPORTS with 3.3 steals per game

UNBC Men’s Basketball Preview
Friday, November 26^th vs UBC Thunderbirds at 8 p.m.
Saturday, November 27^th vs UBC Thunderbirds at 7 p.m.

UNBC Timberwolves – Record (2-2)
5th in West Division Standings
72.0 Points Scored Per Game
71.8 Points Allowed Per Game
Scoring Leader: Tyrell Laing (21.5 Per Game)
Rebounding Leader: Chris Ross (9.3 Per Game)
Assists Leader: Vova Pluzhnikov (4.8 Per Game)
Steals Leader: Fareed Shittu, Tyrell Laing (1.5 Per Game)
Blocks Leader: Fareed Shittu, Rohtash Mattu (2.0 Per Game)

Player To Watch: Tyrell Laing, G
21.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.5 SPG
When the UNBC Timberwolves need a bucket, their best bet is Tyrell Laing. The 2019-2020 Canada West scoring champ finds a way to contribute every game, including at the defensive end, where the Prince George product is an excellent on-ball defender. Laing will need to be at his best against the reigning conference champion T-Birds.

UBC Thunderbirds – Record (6-0)
1st in West Division Standings
89.0 Points Scored Per Game
69.4 Points Allowed Per Game
Scoring Leader: Grant Audu (18.4 Per Game)
Rebounding Leader: Sukhman Sandhu (7.8 Per Game)
Assists Leader: Jack Cruz-Dumont (5.8 Per Game)
Steals Leader: Kyle Foreman (3.0 Per Game)
Blocks Leader: Sukhman Sandhu (0.8 Per Game)

Player To Watch: Grant Audu, G
18.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 SPG
Quite simply, Grant Audu is a matchup nightmare. A six-foot-five guard with range, the Toronto native gives posts fits with his speed, and guards fits with his size. Audu has seen his role and production increase every season, and leads the Thunderbirds in scoring this year.

Quotes:
UNBC’s David Tiessen

On returning after two weekends off…
“The break allowed us to work on some things in practice that we needed to address from some of our previous games. Also, it allowed some of our injured players to get back and get healthy, So we hope to have a full roster this weekend against UBC.”

On the matchup with the Thunderbirds…
“They’re solid. They have bigs who can shoot threes, and their guards are always good, as well. We are just going to have to focus on the defensive end. Take care of the glass, and look for fast break options. Try to run it that way.”

On competing with the Canada West champions…
“It definitely keeps you motivated. You want to bring down the big schools, for sure, but you treat it like every other game. Try to do our stuff so we can get a win.”

On playing at the Northern Sport Centre…
“The crowd definitely creates a big factor for us. It helps keep the energy up, and helps us stay aggressive. It will be a big factor for us this weekend.”

Milestone Watch

-Vova Pluzhnikov scored his 900^th career Canada West point last week vs TRU
-Tyrell Laing scored his 900^th career Canada West point last week vs TRU
-Tyrell Laing broke Franco Kouagnia’s record for career free-throws with his 173^rd Canada West FT last week vs TRU
-Vova Pluzhnikov needs three assists to pass James Agyeman for most in UNBC’s Canada West history (213)
-Tyrell Laing needs 10 points to pass Rhys Elliott for most in UNBC’s Canada West history (934)
-Chris Ross needs 28 points to reach 200 for his Canada West career
-Vova Pluzhnikov needs 14 rebounds to reach 300 for his Canada West career
-Tyrell Laing needs 21 rebounds to reach 200 for his Canada West career
-Fareed Shittu needs one rebound to reach 200 for his Canada West career
-Fareed Shittu needs four blocks to reach 40 for his Canada West career

by Ethan Ready, with files from UNBC Athletics

Timberwolves’ Canada West school scoring and assists records likely to fall tonight

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