Hot-handed T-wolves down Wesmen

The UNBC Timberwolves are enjoying the view from the top.

In their women’s basketball home-opener Friday at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre they locked away their third win in three games this season with a 75-68 victory over the Winnipeg Wesmen.

The T-wolves big-three point producers – Vasiliki Louka, Maria Mongomo and Madison Landry – picked up where they left off last weekend in a two-game sweep of the Mount Royal Cougars, teaming up to give the Wesmen a pounding headache that never subsided.

Louka led the UNBC cause with 22 points and 14 rebounds, Mongomo collected 15 points and Landry picked up 13 points and five assists.

The T-wolves led 25-16 after 10 minutes and 40-28 at the half. They made half of their shots from the field (31-for-62) and were equally accurate from beyond the three-point line (9-for-18).

Second-year T-wolf Abby Gibb struck for 12 points and fourth-year point guard Emily Holmes sunk six points and had five assists.

“It felt great to be out in front of the home crowd today, it’s been a while and the fans were great,” said Landry. “They really help with our intensity and we feel stronger with them behind us.”

The Wesmen had four players reach double figures point-wise, led by Robyn Boulanger’s 14 points. Faith Hezekiah hit for 13 points, Jessica Dyck had 11 and Farrah Castillo put up 10 points and had six assists.

The win kept the T-wolves (3-0) tied for first place with Manitoba and Trinity Western atop the U Sports Canada West standings. Winnipeg (0-3) dropped to 15th in the 17-team league.

The same teams meet again today at the NSC. Game time is 5 p.m.

Meanwhile, in the men’s game that followed on the same court, the Timberwolves pulled off a dramatic 84-82 victory. Fifth-year guard Jovan Leamy finished with 34 points and 10 rebounds to lead the UNBC cause.

The Timberwolves – also 3-0 on the season – were up 44-37 at the half and had a 65-63 advantage after three quarters.

The Winnipeg and UNBC men will also play again today. Opening tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE UNBC Timberwolves guard Vova Pluzhnikov drives to the basket against three University of Winnipeg Wesmen defenders on Friday night at Northern Sport Centre.