VANCOUVER – The UBC Okanagan Heat men's basketball team were swept in their weekend series against the UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday evening, falling by a score of 92-71 at War Memorial Gym.
The No. 9-ranked Thunderbirds were led in the contest by former Heat Triston Matthews (North Vancouver, B.C.) who poured in 20 points while Jack Cruz-Dumont (Richmond, B.C.) added 13 while dishing out seven assists.
Gavin Ashworth (Grand Prairie, Alta.) had an efficient night for the Heat, finishing with a team-high 16 points. Ashworth used a variety of ways to score the basketball, finishing at the rim, at the free throw line, and behind the arc.
Jalen Shirley (Brampton, Ont.) also had a good night for UBCO, finishing with 14 points and two steals. Shirley finished some tough baskets around the rim and was able to make difficult shots from the mid-range.
TOP PERFORMERS
Gavin Ashworth – UBCO
The second-year guard was difficult to stop on offence as he paced the Heat with 16 points. Scoring in a variety of ways, Ashworth was impressive on his way to a season-best performance.
Triston Matthews – UBC
The fifth-year guard was the catalyst for the Thunderbird offence as he scored 20 points in a variety of ways. He also pulled down five rebounds, while adding three assists, and two steals.
WHERE THEY SIT
The Heat record now sits at 5-13 with the loss as they sit 14th in Canada West, one game out of a playoff spot with two games remaining. The Heat will at least one win in their final weekend of action against the No. 2-ranked Victoria Vikes to have any hope of reaching the postseason.
As for the Thunderbirds, they improve to 11-5 with the victory and sit tied for fourth in the conference with four games remaining in their schedule.
UP NEXT
The Heat will head back to Kelowna for their final weekend of the season to take on the nationally ranked Vikes. The weekend doubleheader tips off on Friday night at The Furnace at 5 p.m. and tickets for the game can be purchased at the door prior to tipoff.
