PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – The UBC Okanagan Heat women's basketball team were unable to hold onto their fourth-quarter lead on Saturday night as they lost 68-67 to the UNBC Timberwolves at the Charles Jago Northern Sports Centre.
Leading by 12 heading into the final frame, the Heat were outscored 23-10 by the hosts in the fourth quarter as they lost both weekend matchups to the Timberwolves.
Lily Pink of Kelowna, B.C., was impressive for the Heat as she recorded her second double-double of the campaign, scoring a team-high 18 points while pulling down 12 rebounds.
Kiana Kaczur of Kamloops, B.C., and
Abby Smith of Winnipeg each added nine points off the bench for the Heat.
UNBC's Russian duo of Sveta Boykova and Viktoriia Filatova, both from Moscow, were strong again for the Timberwolves. Boykova finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists while Filatova had 18 points off the bench, including the game-winning basket late in the fourth quarter.
The setback leaves the Heat with a 3-5 record, now tied with the Timberwolves for fifth-place in the Canada West Pacific division.
UBCO will look to bounce back when they close out their first-half schedule at home next weekend. The Heat will open the weekend against the U SPORTS No. 2-ranked UBC Thunderbirds on Friday night, November 29 as they host their first-ever Neon Night. In partnership with UBCO Recreation's Glow with the Flow event, the game will feature a live DJ throughout the night, glowsticks and halftime yoga in the stands.
Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. at the UBCO Gymnasium and tickets for the game can be purchased at the door on game day.
