T-WOLVES TO FACE DINOS
The UNBC Timberwolves advanced to a single-game elimination quarterfinal matchup Thursday (5 p.m. PT) in Calgary against the top-ranked Dinos with a gutsy 93-85 double overtime win against Lethbridge last Friday.
Emily Holmes delivered when her team needed her most. The five-foot-three dynamo came up with two clutch free throws with 15 seconds on the clock to force a second overtime period and with the game hanging in the balance, the fifth-year point guard hit two three-point shots to send the T-wolves on their way to the second round of the U Sports Canada West women's basketball playoffs.
"It was very exciting, a bit stressful, but with the outcome and everything I couldn't be more proud of my team for fighting for that win and not giving up at any point. It's an amazing feeling and it was an amazing game to be a part of."
A text message Holmes received just before the game from a friend provided prophetic inspiration to the graduating senior.
"It said, 'Shoot the ball like it's your last game until it is or it isn't,'" Holmes said. "I didn't have a whole lot of shooting opportunities before that and I did in overtime and I shot like it was my last game until it wasn't.
Down to just six healthy players, the T-wolves extended their winning streak to nine games and they continue to baffle Canada West opponents with their ability to stay aggressive in the passing lanes and underneath the nets without taking fouls. They were disciplined defence because they had to be while the Pronghorns piled up their own personal fouls, putting the T-wolves into bonus shooting situations, which made a difference. The T-wolves shot 26-for-33 from the foul line while Lethbridge was good on six of just eight attempts.
Maria Mongomo and Madison Landry, who finished first and third respectively in the Canada West scoring race, delivered the goods once again for UNBC. Landry racked up 30 points, 22 after the first half, and had 11 rebounds. Mongomo collected 22 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and five steals.
"I told the girls after the game there's just one huge feeling of pride, what they did," said T-wolves head coach Sergey Shchepotkin. "We were two times down almost 15 points and just went through it, it was a great game.
"It wasn't Emily's best game, like everyone. I cannot say that Maria played all game very good, or Maddy (Landry) played all game very good. But I'm happy in that critical moment all the leaders stood up for the team and they did a great job."
The Dinos had a first-round bye. The T-wolves-Dinos winner moves on to a semifinal Friday, also in Calgary, against the Fraser Valley-Alberta winner.
In Saskatoon, Thursday's other quarterfinal matchups are Victoria-Saskatchewan and Winnipeg-UBC.