UNBC men desperate for wins

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Mongomo set aside the pain of a knee injury and showed the form that earned her a spot on the conference all-star team last season while leading the Twolves to their first-ever Canada West playoff berth.

“She’s still struggling with injuries but it’s better and she had a very good game Saturday,” said Shchepotkin. “That’s the level she can play.”

Madison Landry continues to deliver the goods as a standout second-year forward. The Duchess Park graduate had 13 points and six assists in Saturday’s game, a night after she led all shooters with 25 points in an 88-53 Friday loss to Regina.

“We are super excited for the win on Saturday,” said Landry, in a team release. “It is giving us a lot of momentum, so we are looking forward to these road games this weekend. We have wins over some of the best teams in the country, so it’s awesome momentum for us.”

Landry says after playing two of the top teams in the league, the T-wolves won’t lack for motivation against the Griffins, who rank 15th in the 17-team league.

“No matter who you are playing, you need to think of them as a top team,” Landry said. “We are expecting MacEwan to be good. If we keep up our intensity on defense, and stick to our plays on offense, I think we can get the results we want.” The opening tip-off is at 5 p.m. PT. The T-wolves men (2-6) are looking to return to the victory trail after four straight losses. They know with just 12 games left, time is ticking on their chances to move into a playoff position and the Griffins (1-5) will be equally motivated playing in front of their home fans.

“We need these wins,” said UNBC guard Tyrell Laing, a second-year player and Prince George secondary school graduate. “We are in desperation mode, and we are going to do all we can to pull out two. It’s a must-win.”

Both UNBC wins came on the second weekend of the season on the road against Trinity Western.

“We have learned that playing in transition is key for us,” said Laing. “Pressuring the ball up the floor and keeping the ball in front of us. Things we can do, and know we can do. It’s up to us to execute, and when we do that, we are successful.”

Jovan Leamy, a fourth-year guard from Toronto, continues to impress in his first season wearing the green and gold. In only his third game with the T-wolves he led the team with 24 points and 10 rebounds in Friday’s 80-76 loss to Regina and followed that up with 23 points and six rebounds the rematch Saturday, a 96-88 Cougar victory.

The men’s game starts at 6 p.m. PT.

It’s up to us to execute, and when we do that, we are successful. — Tyrell Laing