Only scoring 22 points in the first half dooms the UBC Okanagan men’s basketball team to a second straight loss in Calgary to Mount Royal on Saturday night as they fall (79-57) to the Cougs.
Saturday, January 16th, 2016
Kenyon Court, Calgary, AB
FINAL 1 2 3 4 T UBC Okanagan (5-7) 12 10 14 21 57 Mount Royal (5-7) 20 22 22 15 79
CALGARY, AB- The UBC Okanagan men’s basketball team finished their weekend series with a second (79-57) loss against the Cougars. With the loss the Heat’s record drops to (5-7) and improves Mount Royals record to (5-7). With this win the Cougars, Heat and MacEwan are all tied for last playoff spot in the Explorer division.
The Cougars ran out to a 7-0 start before the Heat even had a quality possession in the Cougars half court. The first quarter was eerily reminiscent of yesterday’s matchup with the Cougars heavily outplaying the Heat and leading 20-12.
The Cougars and Heat went ice cold to open the second quarter. Five minutes in, Mount Royal had only five points to the Heat’s two. A big block by Tethloach Thokbuom and then a deep three-pointer from Derek Wolf swung the momentum towards the Cougars, forcing UBC Okanagan to take a timeout.
Mount Royal took a 42-22 lead into the locker room at the half.
The Heat tried to get back in the game via the three-pointer but their shooting was off the mark early in the third. Derek Wolf continued driving the lane and completing a beautiful three-point play at the foul line. Wolf was also dangerous from beyond the arc as he nailed a deep three to extend the Cougars’ lead to 25 points.
Mount Royal took a commanding 64-36 lead into the fourth quarter. UBC Okanagan could not figure how to stop Brett Layton inside. When Layton was doubled, he managed to get the ball to the veteran James Lefebvre who managed 17 points in the contest.
Mount Royal completed the sweep, defeating the Heat 79-57.
The Heat continued to struggle scoring in this weekend series against the Cougars. In tonight’s game the Heat went (18-64) 28.1 percent which improved from Friday’s shooting of (22-63) 24.9 percent. The Heat continued to struggle from beyond the arch but improved their shooting from (3-17) 17.6 percent in Friday’s game to (5-26) 19.2 percent.
The Heat were led by senior, Mitch Goodwin who scored 21 points. Goodwin was able to assist his team from the charity stripe and went (9-10) 90 percent. Following Goodwin was Aldrich Berrios and Cameron Servatius who scored seven points each.
The Cougars had three players reach double digits, Brett Layton led the team with 19 points and 12 rebounds, giving him a double double. James Lefebvre followed with 17 points and Derek Wolf had 13 points.
The Heat were short of winning boards in tonight’s matchup. Mount Royals size allowed them to out-rebound UBC Okanagan (40-38).
The Heat will be looking to redeem their playoff spot as they head to Prince George next to play the Timberwolves. Tip off is at 8 p.m. (Jan 22).
~ Tia Sadler // Heat Communications // With notes from Justin McCaffrey, Mount Royal Cougars Sports Information