Austin Connelly, For MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Unable to build off a dominant second-quarter, the MacEwan Griffins conceded a 14-0 run in the second half and were never able to recover, falling 75-58 to UBC in Canada West women's basketball action Saturday night at the David Atkinson Gym.
The Thunderbirds dominated in the paint and were led by Jessica Hanson's game-high 27 points, while Keylyn Filewich added 21 on 9-for-11 shooting from the field.
The loss drops the Griffins to 2-14, while the Thunderbirds improve to 14-4.
"We had some timely steals and generated some offence that way," said UBC head coach Deb Huband of their second-half surge that led to their sixth-straight victory. "I think our defence was more on point and we started rebounding the ball a lot better in the second half."
It was a tale of two quarters in the first half for the Griffins as they entered the second down eight points before finding their shooting stroke, going red hot from three, while the Thunderbirds went ice cold.
"I thought the first half was some of the most inspired basketball we've played all season," said MacEwan head coach Katherine Adams. "We came out to compete, we battled – our connection was great, everyone came in and found a way to contribute. It was an exciting brand of basketball for us."
The Griffins kicked up their intensity on defence to start the second quarter resulting in a few turnovers and fast-break points, including a huge block by Drew Knox that set up Mackenzie Farmer for a three to pull the Griffins within three.
MacEwan then took its first lead of the game, capping off a 12-0 run with a Rachel Hare three go up 25-23.
Farmer would continue to take over for the Griffins, making a few tough contested shots including a running layup that narrowly beat the shot clock.
"Mackenzie scored for us and we've come to expect that from her every game," said Adams. "It's what she does and what she does well for us."
She would lead all Griffins players with 17 points and six rebounds while Shannon Majeau had 12 points and five rebounds, while Darian Mahmi chipped in 11 points.
Farmer would out due herself one more time before the half was up, drilling an elbow jumper at the buzzer to send the Griffins into the half knotted at 36-36.
Despite the strong second quarter by the Griffins, it would be the Thunderbirds who would go on a backbreaking 14-0 run to kick off the third quarter.
"UBC had some pushback, we just didn't respond in the way I was hoping we would," said Adams.
MacEwan hosts its last two home games of the regular season when they face Lethbridge Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. UBC is heading into a bye week and will next host W
