In a thrilling season opener, the WolfPack men’s basketball team edged out the UBC Okanagan Heat with an 83-79 victory on Oct. 31, powered by a standout fourth-quarter performance from Asher Mayan. The veteran guard came through in the clutch, scoring 11 of his game-high 21 points in the final quarter, leading the ‘Pack to their first win of the 2024-25 season.
Mayan’s 21 points, highlighted by four three-pointers, were instrumental in keeping the WolfPack ahead. Cyrus Harrison added to the offensive surge with 20 points, while Erin Chamble contributed 11 points and added a pair of steals for good measure. For the Heat, Jalen Shirley led the charge with 21 points over a full 40-minute shift, while Gavin Ashworth scored 15 points, David Usuomon 14 and Jas Dhudwal 12 points and 13 rebounds kept the contest tight.
The game was a close battle from the start, with both teams trading leads and building momentum through sharp shooting and aggressive defence. The ‘Pack carved out a narrow lead early in the fourth, going up 62-57, but the Heat rallied. UBCO’s Ashworth, Shirley and Lamine Conde combined to fuel a 9-2 run, flipping the lead in favour of the Heat at 69-66 with just five minutes left.
The ‘Pack, determined to avoid another late-game loss after a series of narrow defeats last season, answered with a 10-3 run of their own. Mayan, recovering from an arm injury that kept him sidelined in the previous year, ignited the home team with nine of those points, securing a 76-72 lead. With steady defence and key free throws, the WolfPack sealed the 83-79 win.