MacEwan Athletics
-with files from UNBC Athletics
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – Running into a team fighting for their playoff lives, the MacEwan Griffins fell into an early hole against the UNBC Timberwolves, en route to an 89-72 defeat on Friday night.
Turns out the T-Wolves were eliminated from the playoffs about the same time they were celebrating a victory, as the Brandon Bobcats knocked off the Manitoba Bisons 90-87 more than 2,000 kilometres away in Winnipeg.
"It wasn't a different game, in terms of preparation for us," said UNBC's Tyrell Laing. "We have wanted every game this year. We understand what was at stake, so we wanted to come out and compete."
Knowing their playoff lives were hanging in the balance, the Timberwolves came out a hungry team in the first quarter and built a 29-15 lead over the Griffins after 10 minutes.
"They were fighting for their playoff lives out there, and they came out harder than us in the first quarter," said MacEwan's Jake Notice. "They took it to us, really. We got shots, but we struggled to knock them down."
With the result, the Griffins' record falls to 2-17, while UNBC is 5-14. Both teams head into the final game of their 2019-20 season on Saturday (8 p.m. MT, Canada West TV presented by Co-op).
"It was a tough year, but a few guys really took some steps forward," said Notice, who led the Griffins with 18 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists on Friday. "Especially the younger guys. Hopefully this is something we build into this last game and take those forward into next year."
Luke Harold added 14 points for the Griffins, while Abdullah Shittu and Deonte Doslov-Doctor each had nine.
"Jake Notice had his best game of the year, playing within our team concept and displaying great leadership," said MacEwan head coach Mike Connolly.
Laing paced the Timberwolves with 21 points, while Fareed Shittu posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds and Vova Pluzhnikov bucketed 16.
"It brings a completely different dynamic when we have a lot of guys going," said Laing of UNBC's balanced scoring. "We spread the defence out more, and it is hard to key in on any one individual. We are a tough unit to guard when we have guys rolling."
MacEwan shot 38.0 per cent in the contest, compared to 47.6 per cent for UNBC, who also outscored the Griffins 36-28 in the paint.
"They just played really hard, honestly," said Notice. "Their big guys crashed the boards and made it difficult for us to get fast breaks, because we couldn't get rebounds."
So, the challenge is there for the Griffins in Saturday's rematch as they'd dearly love to finish the season on a winning note.
"We need to have better focus defensively and have more urgency," said Connolly.