Stu Walters /UBC Thunderbirds
VANCOUVER - First-year guard Dayna Pearce scored six of her nine points in the fourth quarter to help rally the UBC Thunderbirds (8-8) to a come from behind 58-52 victory to complete the weekend sweep over the MacEwan Griffins (4-12).
It was a much more competitive and entertaining game than the previous night that saw the T-Birds win a lopsided 64-39 decision over the Griffins. The thunderbirds have now won four straight games but that streak looked like it could be nearing an end after looking at three point deficits at halftime and to end the third quarter.
One of the games key turning points came with about 2:40 remaining in the fourth quarter and the game tied at 49-49. That's when Dayna Pearce stepped up and hit a big three pointer as the shot clock expired to give the 'Birds a 52-49 lead that they wouldn't look back from. Pearce followed that up by hitting two clutch free throws to help secure the win for the home team which outscored the visitors 18-9 in the frame. Third-year guard Maddison Penn chipped in with six of her team high 15 points in the final quarter while also finishing with a team high 15 rebounds.
Pearce spoke post game about her clutch three point shot late in the fourth quarter that turned the tide for the T-Birds.
"To be honest it was a bank shot so I was a little lucky there but I was pretty pumped because it changed the game a little bit and got us more motivated."
Pearce added that the message at halftime also helped focus the squad.
"Our halftime talk motivated us to push ourselves because we had a fairly convincing win last night so we knew we could do it and told ourselves that we've got this and we pulled through."
It was an entertaining back and forth first quarter with each team trading baskets throughout and included the Griffins feeling it from long range as they were a perfect three for three from three-point land in the frame. It began on the visitors first possession where Kristen Monfort-Palomino drained her attempt from beyond the arc while teammates Madison Chamberlin and Paige Knull would follow up by also converting from distance. Leading the way for the Thunderbirds was third-year guard Jessica Hanson who was good on three of her six field goal attempts for a team high six points helping the hosts to a 16-14 lead after one.
The Griffins would keep the determination high in the second quarter outscoring the Thunderbirds 18-13 en route to 32-29 halftime advantage. Leading the way for MacEwan in the quarter was Kayla Ivicak scoring four of her 11 points on the night while Paige Knull added four of her eight points on the evening. For the T-Birds it was second-year guard Ali Norris leading the way with six points and two steals.
The third quarter would see MacEwan maintain their three-point lead on the strength of Mackenzie Farmer pouring in six of her team high 14 points on the night followed by Madison Chamberlin chipping in with three points and two rebounds. Leading the way for the 'Birds was Maddison Penn with five points while Keylyn Filewich was effective in the paint adding four of her nine points on the night.
MacEwan will next meet the Alberta Golden Bears in a home and home series next week. Hosting the Bears on Thursday January 25th then hitting the road for a meeting on Saturday January 27th. The Thunderbirds will also hit the road for back to back games against UBC Okanagan next Friday and Saturday.
PHOTO: Rich Lam / UBC Thunderbirds