VICTORIA - Four Thunderbirds scored in double figures as UBC (5-2) won the first half of its home-and-home series with the Victoria Vikes (0-5) by a score of 70-51 at CARSA Performance Gym on Thursday evening.
Mona Berlitz,
Olivia Weekes, and
Emilia Banmann all tied for the team lead with 12 points, with Berlitz adding 11 rebounds for her third double-double of the season.
Hailey Counsell was the fourth T-Bird to reach double digits as she poured in 10 points of her own, while
Sara Toneguzzi had a game-high seven assists and
Cerys Merton a game-high six steals.
The T-Birds seem to be making a habit of demoralizing opponents by shutting them down defensively in the first quarter. UBC allowed only nine points to Victoria in the opening frame on Thursday, marking the third time in their five-game road trip that they've held an opponent under 10 in the game's first 10 minutes. At the same time, the 'Birds dropped 20 in Q1, thanks to a 10-0 run in the final 3:40 to put them up by 11.
UBC only built on its lead from there, adding another 21 points in the second quarter to enter half-time with a comfortable 41-23 advantage.
Midway through the third quarter, a steal and score by
Stella Lagrange gave the T-Birds their first 20-point lead and they never looked back from there, cruising to the 70-51 win.
The two teams rematch on Saturday for the second half of the home-and-home series. The game is part of UBC's
Courtside Basketball Festival, featuring special half-time entertainment, a live DJ, games, prizes, giveaways and much more.
Tickets, which include access to all Courtside events, can still be purchased
here. Stream all T-Birds regular season basketball on
Canada West TV.
