Scott Stewart, Spartans Athletics

LANGLEY, B.C. – The Trinity Western Spartans late fourth quarter rally fell short as the University of British Columbia Timberwolves defeated the Spartans 80-70 Saturday night at the Langley Events Centre. The loss drops the Spartans to 0-4 on the season, while the win moves the Timberwolves to 2-2. 

Pogos Trunyan with 25 points, and Max Viitala with 13 points and six rebounds led the Spartans, while Volodymyr Pluzhnikov with 24 points, James Agyeman with 18 points, and Marcus MacKay with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds led the Timberwolves. 

The Spartans had trouble finding their range in the first quarter, shooting 19 per cent as the Timberwolves finished the first 10 minutes leading 20-14. UNBC was able to extend their lead to 45-36 at the half time break. 

The two teams matched each other in the third quarter to make it a 65-56 game heading into the final 10 minutes. With eight minutes to go UNBC led 67-56. The Spartans made a last run and closed the gap to five points, 75-70, with two minutes remaining. But that was as close as TWU would get.

QUOTABLE

Spartans head coach Aaron Muhic

"We played some very good defense in the second half. And we showed the maturity need to compete on offence down the stretch. UBC played some poised basketball and hit some timely shots.  Our team rose up and had a chance, we can build on that."

 NOTABLE

-TWU was 13-32 from the three- point line, while UNBC were 6-25.

-UNBC finished 16-18 from the foul line, while TWU was 5-6.

NEXT UP

The Spartans will now host the University of Victoria Vikes for a weekend double-header on Fri. Nov. 10 and Sat. Nov. 11 at the Langley Events Centre. While UNBC will head home to host the UBC Thunderbirds on Friday and Saturday.

-TW-