The WolfPack men’s basketball team fought a formidable battle on Saturday against the UBC Thunderbirds but could not secure a victory, losing 81-60 at their third home game of the season.
The ‘Pack had a strong start, taking the lead with a good offensive effort and earning six points in the first few minutes. Despite this, UBC’s Thunderbirds gained by the end of the first quarter, finishing with a 22-14 lead and maintaining that lead for the rest of the game.
The second quarter saw the ‘Pack rebutting with an impressive defence, knocking down most of the Thunderbird’s attempts in hopes of making up for their deficit. A layup from Reuben Wright and multiple attempts from Dami Farinloye and Cyrus Harrison brought the Thunderbirds’ lead down to just two points. By the end of the first half, the lead had climbed again in favour of the Thunderbirds, with a score of 44-33.
Farinloye stood out as the show’s star, with 17 points in the game—the most in his TRU career so far. Harrison, who took 15 points and seven rebounds, and basketball veteran Asher Mayan, who added 13 points to the ‘Pack’s scoreboard, were some of the best contributors of the day. Their efforts, along with the rest of the team, kept the Thunderbirds’ lead tight and steady.
It was a difficult battle, but by the third quarter, there was no doubt about who would take home the win. The UBC Thunderbirds, who currently rank No. 2 in the nation, maintained a 20-point lead for the rest of the game. Despite this, the ‘Pack gave a spirited offensive performance in the last few minutes, drawing the most electrified responses from the crowd. Ultimately, the TRU WolfPack came out with an 81-60 loss.
This is the ‘Pack’s second loss of the season, dropping their overall win-loss record to 2-2 and putting them on a losing streak.
Their next two matches will be home games against the UFV Cascades on Nov. 15-16, and their performances will be important for the season moving forward. To learn more about the men’s basketball team and their future games, visit their website.