KELOWNA, B.C. – Led by an all-star worthy performance from
Jalen Shirley, the UBC Okanagan Heat men's basketball team won their home opener on Friday night, knocking off the UNBC Timberwolves 91-71 at the UBCO Gymnasium.
Shirley, the fourth-year health and exercise sciences major from Brampton, Ont., put in an outstanding performance for the Heat, playing 37 minutes and finishing with 22 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, finishing just a rebound and two assists shy of a triple-double.
The 6-0 guard finished the night shooting 9-for-17 from the field, including 2-for-2 from three-point range and added two steals and two blocks in an all-around effort.
Shirley was particularly effective in the opening half, with 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists as the Heat built a 47-35 lead. His backcourt running mate,
Gavin Ashworth of Grand Prairie, Alta., also started hot, pouring in 11 of his 21 points in the opening quarter.
The third quarter saw UBCO pull away from the visitors, with Ashworth leading the charge as he had seven points and four assists in the frame.
With a 20-point lead heading into the fourth, the Heat never allowed the Timberwolves back into the match as they earned their first win of the season.
Along with Shirley and Ashworth, two other members of the Heat finished in double figures including
David Usuomon of Brampton, Ont., who had 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Transfer
DJ Frye of Ogden, Utah added 14 points.
Justin Sunga of Burnaby, B.C., led the Timberwolves with 21 points and six assists.
With the win, UBCO improves to 1-1 on the young season while the Timberwolves lose their season opener to fall to 0-1.
The Heat will return to action next weekend as they travel to Abbotsford to take on the UFV Cascades. Game one of the weekend double header is set for Friday, November 8 at 8 p.m. and the game can be seen live on CanadaWest.tv presented by Biosteel.
