Connor Hood, Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics
EDMONTON - Up by just nine at the half, the University of Alberta Golden Bears offence exploded in the second, as they outscored the visiting UNBC Timberwolves 25-5 in the third quarter, en route to a massive 80-41 win in Game 2 of their quarter-final series at Saville Community Sports Centre.
The Golden Bears used the monster second half, which saw them outscore UNBC 49-16, to sweep the best-of-three quarter-final series following their 98-64 win in Game 1 the previous night. The Canada West leading Bears will now welcome the Lethbridge Pronghorns next weekend in one of two semifinal series'.
Powering the Bears to their second half surge was the play of their starting forward duo of Mamadou Gueye and Brody Clarke. The pair combined for 39 points and 16 rebounds; a majority of which was tallied in the first three quarters. Guards Sam Newman (11) and Geoff Pippus (10) also hit double-digits in points for Alberta.
By comparison, the Timberwolves had just one player hit double digits, as Marcus MacKay finished with a team high ten points in a losing effort.
In an entertaining and surprisingly close opening quarter, both teams exchanged a handful of buckets, including eight of his game-high 21 points from Brody Clarke. The Golden Bears shot an impressive 50% in the first, jumping ahead 17-14.
Both teams cooled off somewhat offensively in the first quarter, in part due to both team's tightening it up defensively. Alberta and UNBC combined to shoot just 36% in the second (11/30), with Alberta extending their lead to a modest nine points after two quarters.
The second half was a completely different game than the first, as the Golden Bears completely dominated UNBC in every facet of the game. Gueye dropped in six of his 18 on the night, coupled with nine more from Clarke. The No. 1 defensive unit of the Bears also held the 'Wolves to just five points on 1/13 shooting.
The fourth quarter was much of the same, as Alberta erased any hope of a stunning upset, adding another 21 points in an impressive fourth quarter.
Alberta will open their semifinal series against the 12-8 Lethbridge Pronghorns on Friday night, with both a spot in the Canada West final and at the U SPORTS Final 8 at stake.