Oliver Rizun, Heat sports information

Kelowna, B.C. - It was an offensive struggle for the Heat men's basketball team on Saturday night at home as the University of Alberta played stifling defense for much of the game as the Heat never tested the Bears in the second end of the double header falling 89-39 at the UBC Okanagan gymnasium.

The country's No. 3 ranked team made a defensive statement in the second half as UBCO managed just 11 points in the final 20 minutes. This was the first game this season where the Heat did not have a single player in double digit scoring. The Bears on the other sported a balanced offensive attack with all 12 players on suited up hitting the score sheet and just three in double digits. 

Alberta at 6-0 is tied for top spot in the Canada West standings with two other Alberta teams in the Lethbridge Pronghorns, also 6-0, and the Calgary Dinos at 5-0. UBC Okanagan fall to 2-4 and are one of six CW teams with two wins. 

Game story:

The Heat started cold from the field as they made just three field-goals in the first quarter and they would be down 13 points going into the second (20-7). The Heat offense got on track in the second quarter as they pushed the tempo to create fast-break opportunities.

On the defensive end UBCO allowed the Bears to score 43 points in the first half including seven three-pointers and trailed at the  end of the first half 43-28.

Mamadou Gueye continued his strong play for the visitors as he had 13 points on just seven shots against and undersized Heat front line.

The third and fourth quarters were defensive statements by Alberta as they limited the Heat to contested shots. The UBCO offense became stagnant and the would score just 11 points in all of the second half.

The lone bright spot for the Heat could be that they got lots of their young players extended minutes to finish off the game.

Team stats:

- The Heat shot just 25% from the floor compared to 43% for the visitors

- The Golden Bears also had many more opportunities then the home team as they won the turnover battle (18-11) and out rebounded the Heat for the second straight night (43-37)

- Both teams used the free-throw line to their advantage as the Bears shot 85% from the charity-stripe (23 of 27) while Heat were not far behind at 75% (9 of 12).

Individual performances:

- The Bears got another solid offensive performance from Mamadou Gueye as he scored 17 points on just eight shots. Gueye would also be effective on the glass as he grabbed six rebounds for the visitors.

- Aldrich Berrios led the Heat in scoring for the second straight day, as he had eight points on 25% shooting.

- Kyrin Cybenko once again showed his size, as he snagged a game-high 11 rebounds including six boards on the offensive glass

Up next:

The Heat (2-4) are off next weekend but will be back at it when they travel to Abbotsford to face the University of Fraser Valley Cascades (1-5). The Golden Bears are back on home court next weekend as they face-off against the Saskatchewan Huskies (2-2).