KELOWNA, B.C. — The UBCO Heat used a 12-3 overtime period to finish off a thrilling 94-85 victory over the UFV Cascades on Saturday at UBCO Gymnasium.
Tarun Saroya led UBCO with a career-high 27 points, seven rebounds, and three steals, while
Anthony Brady added a career-high 21 points and grabbed five rebounds. The Heat also saw strong performances from
Isaak Moore, who finished with 19 points, three three-pointers, and three steals, and
Enrique Garcia had eight points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
UBCO built an early 6-0 lead on Brady's opening jumper and four Saroya free throws, then kept scoring efficiently as Brady reached 10 points in the opening quarter. The Cascades stayed close at the line, but
Faisal Shawwa added a layup with 33 seconds left before the Heat finished the frame ahead 20-19.
A 31-28 deficit turned into a 34-31 UBCO lead when
Dom Zaino hit back-to-back 3-pointers, the second just under halfway through the second quarter. After UFV tied it 39-39 with 46 seconds remaining, Saroya kept possession with an offensive rebound and scored with one second left. The hosts went 4-for-6 from three in the frame and entered halftime ahead 41-39.
After UFV was up 57-53, UBCO used an 8-0 run late in the third quarter, with
Ty Lockwood's layup with just over two minutes remaining putting the Heat ahead 58-57. Earlier, Moore and Saroya helped the Heat move from a 41-41 tie to a 49-41 lead during another 8-0 stretch. UFV trimmed the margin in the final minute, but UBCO ended the quarter ahead by two.
The Heat's late push came through Moore, who hit two clutch three-pointers, the second off a Garcia assist to put UBCO ahead 82-80. Saroya had steals ahead of both late UBCO scores, but UFV answered when Clay Kurtz followed a missed three-pointer with a layup with 16 seconds left. Garcia's final jumper was off, and regulation ended tied 82-82.
In overtime, Moore put UBCO ahead with a layup with 3:25 left. Saroya added a layup and Shawwa followed with another basket to make it 89-84. UBCO held UFV without a field goal in the extra frame and closed out the win as Saroya added three late free throws.
Up next, UBCO heads on the road as they travel to Regina to face the Regina Cougars on Friday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m.
Game Notes:
- UBCO recorded a season-high six blocks
