Zachary Worden, Cougar Athletics
CALGARY, Alta – The Mount Royal University Cougars and University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves wrapped up the opening weekend of the 2018/19 basketball season on Saturday afternoon at Kenyon Court.
The Timberwolves were able to follow up their victory Friday night with a 107-61 win. For the second game in a row, Madison Landry, Maria Mongomo and Vasiliki Louka all topped 20 points. Mongomo and Louka both ended up with double-doubles, as Mongomo had 26 points and 14 rebounds, while Louka had 21 points and 13 rebounds.
The Cougars were led throughout the night by Sydney Tabin and Charity Marlatt. They both found success scoring the ball and crashing the glass. Tabin ended up with 12 points and nine rebounds and Marlatt finished with a double-double of her own, scoring 10 points, grabbing 10 rebound and also blocked two shots.
The Timberwolves found success on Friday night by driving and working the ball inside. They came into the game Saturday looking to continue that trend. The Cougars made some defensive adjustments coming into the game that made life difficult inside the three-point arc for the Timberwolves.
After a tightly contested quarter, the Timberwolves were able to take and grow a lead in the final few minutes of the first. They made their way to the free-throw and converted all nine attempts in the quarter. They led by 14 once the first 10 minutes had expired.
The second quarter was high paced and high scoring. Both teams managed to convert on more than 45% of their shot attempts. The difference in the quarter was once again the work from the free-throw line for the Timberwolves. They made nine of their 13 shots, helping them grow their lead heading into halftime.
Mongomo had already secured her double-double by halftime, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. While Landry had 17 points of her own and Louka chipped in 11 points to the early Timberwolf lead.
The Cougars offense was sparked by Maddison Hooper's shooting in the half as she had eight points and made two threes. Tabin and Marlatt made big contributions early in the game, as Tabin had four points, Marlatt had six and both pulled down five rebounds.
The two teams kept the fast-paced action going into the third. The Cougars amped up their defense looking to secure extra possessions, as they made their comeback effort, the Timberwolves were able to sustain their lead and keep their foot on the gas throughout the third.
The Timberwolves just kept building on their offensive success in the fourth and had their best quarter of the game. They scored 32 points and shot 65%, making 13 of their 20 shot attempts in the final quarter.
Despite the big deficit the Cougars faced coming into the fourth they still came out and fought their way throughout the quarter and played to the final buzzer.
The two teams will be back in action next weekend. The Timberwolves will return home to face the visiting Winnipeg Wesmen. While the Cougars hit the road to face the Manitoba Bisons. Both Series kick off Friday, November 2nd and will be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv.