Kamloops, BC — The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack can lay claim to winning their 2014-15 Canada West men's basketball regular season opener. But it wasn't one of their most memorable or best played victories.
The WolfPack downed the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves 84-80 at the Tournament Capital Centre on Friday night (November 7).
Thompson Rivers trailed 24-13 after the first quarter and were down 42-35 at the half.
"UNBC deserves a ton of credit," said WolfPack head coach Scott Clark. "They played with more energy than we did. They made energy plays. We were able to get out on their shooters a little bit. They played better than we did."
The WolfPack were led by Josh Wolfram (fourth year, forward, Kamloops, BC). He had 30 points and 15 rebounds (10 on the defensive glass). He was named the TRU Bookstore/McDonalds Leader of the Pack Player of the Game.
"Some guys passed him the ball and he made some shots," Clark stated about Wolfram.
Reese Pribilsky (fourth year, guard, Victoria, BC) contributed 22 points while Gerard Gore (third year forward, St. John's, Antiqua) had 14 points.
UNBC was led by Franco Kougagnia (fifth year, forward, Yaounde, CMR) with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Rhys Elliot (third year, guard, Adelaide, AUS) and Michael Smith (fourth year, guard, Brampton, ON) both had 13 points while Devin McMurtry (fifth year, forward, Surrey, BC) added 12 points while Marcus MacKay (second year, guard, Terrace, BC) contributed 11 points.
"We need to have a lot more defensive energy and do a lot better job," Clark stated about what they have to improve upon when the two teams play again Saturday (November 8) at the Tournament Capital Centre. "We can't give them four or five cracks at it. They are going to make those shots."
Tip off is 7 pm at the Tournament Capital Centre.