KELOWNA, B.C. - Gus Goerzen led the charge for the UBC Okanagan Heat men's basketball team with 17 points and 10 rebounds as they defeated the Thompson Rivers WolfPack 78-63 on Friday evening in Kamloops.
Goerzen (Roberts Creek, B.C.) provided the spark for the Heat offence as he hit three three-pointers and plenty of clutch buckets down the stretch to put the game out of reach. He added in 10 rebounds to complete the double-double, along with two steals to his big night.
Gavin Ashworth (Grand Prairie, Alberta) and Elan Kimpton-Cuellar (Roberts Creek, B.C.) gave the Heat some much needed insurance as they were able to give the Heat some breathing room when the WolfPack tried to claw back. Kimpton-Cuellar finished the game with 13 points and six rebounds while Ashworth finished with 13 points and three rebounds.
The WolfPack kept cutting down the lead in the second and third quarter but the Heat defence stifled them in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS
Gus Goerzen – UBCO
The third-year guard paced the Heat offence as he finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and two steals. Goerzen provided the Heat with some much-needed breathing room by hitting clutch three's down the stretch to put them up for good.
Simon Crossfield – TRU
The third-year forward was the lone bright spot for the WolfPack. He finished with a team-high 16 points while adding in seven rebounds and five assists. He tried to will the WolfPack to a comeback victory but ultimately fell short.
WHERE THEY SIT
With the win, the Heat record improves to 1-4 which leaves just Thompson Rivers and MacEwan as the lone winless teams in the conference. The aforementioned WolfPack stay winless on the year with a 0-3 and sit tied for last in the standings.
PRESIDENTS' CUP
The win was a crucial one for the Heat as it gives UBCO a 2-0-1 series lead in the Presidents' Cup standings and gave UBCO the opportunity to clinch the men's trophy later Friday evening in men's volleyball.
UP NEXT
The Heat will compete against the WolfPack once again on Saturday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m. The game can be seen on
Canada West TV.
