PRINCE GEORGE, British Columbia– The Trinity Western Spartans used a balanced attack, with four players in double-digits, to earn an 88-62 win over the UNBC Timberwolves Saturday night at the Charles Jago Northern Sports Centre in Prince George, B.C. The win moves the Spartans to 12-5, while the loss drops the Timberwolves to 3-9.
 
The Spartans trailed 21-14 after the first quarter but rallied to lead 37-31 at the half. TWU dominated the second half outscoring UNBC 51-31.
 
Fourth-year guard Shemaiah Abatayo (Vancouver, BC) with 26 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals, third-year guard Cassidy Buchanan (Aldergrove, BC) with 19 points and five rebounds, first-year guard Colette Van der Hoven (Maple Ridge, BC) with 15 points, and six rebounds, and second-year centre Blessing Ibekwe (Coquitlam, BC) with 10 points, three assists, and two blocks led the Spartans. Viktoriia Filatova with 20 points, and five rebounds, and Sveta Boykova with 11 points and seven rebounds led the Timberwolves.
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans will return home to host the UBC Okanagan Heat on Thursday, January 23. Game time at the Langley Events Centre is set for 6 p.m. (PT) and can be seen live on Canada West TV.

 
QUOTABLE
TWU head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul.
"We started the game a little slower than we would have wanted but really picked up our defensive intensity halfway through the second quarter and kept it going from there. It was great to see the offensive leadership displayed by both Shem and Cassidy as they have been trading evenings as our key scorer so that was a significant shift for us. It really allowed others to come in and find their looks both from defensive stops, from offensive boards, and unselfish creative play. As we are creeping closer and closer to the end of the regular season, we've been taking care of the games we should be and creating the separation between the BC teams fighting for a playoff spot."
 
AS IT HAPPENED
At the end of the opening quarter the Spartans trailed the Timberwolves 21-14. Trinity Western struggled with shooting, connecting on five of 18 field goals, and converted just one of seven attempts from beyond the arc. They were effective on the boards with 15 total rebounds, including six offensive rebounds, but were hindered by six turnovers. UNBC capitalized on their opportunities, shooting eight for 18 from the field and three for seven from three-point range, while recording nine assists and limiting their turnovers to three.
 
Trinity Western outscored the Timberwolves 23-10 in the second quarter, showcasing a strong defensive effort with seven steals and capitalizing on 11 turnovers by the Timberwolves. The Spartans' offence was efficient, shooting 10-for-21 from the field, with Buchanan contributing significantly with a three-pointer and two free throws. Despite the Timberwolves' nine defensive rebounds, they struggled offensively, managing only three field goals on 14 attempts, which included two 3-pointers as TWU led 37-31 at the half.
 
In the third quarter, Trinity Western outscored UNBC 22-13, extending their lead to 54-44 with effective shooting and defensive pressure. The Spartans capitalized on turnovers, scoring six points from fast breaks, and dominated inside with 18 points in the paint. They also forced six turnovers while securing four steals. Despite the Timberwolves' efforts, including four offensive rebounds and three second-chance points, the Spartans maintained control with a balanced scoring effort, highlighted by contributions from the bench with 15 points.
 
In the fourth quarter, Trinity Western outscored the Timberwolves 29-18, to secure the win. The Spartans excelled with efficient shooting, converting 10 of 16 field goals, including five successful 3-pointers. They also maintained composure at the free-throw line, making all four attempts. The Spartans' bench contributed 12 points, and they capitalized on points in the paint with eight, while limiting their turnovers to three, matching UNBC's total. On defense, the Spartans recorded two steals and one block, helping them maintain momentum throughout the quarter.
 
NOTABLE 

• The Spartans finished the night shooting 48.4 (30-62) percent from the field, 48.1 (13-27) percent from the three-point line, and 60.9 (14-23) percent from the foul line, while the WolfPack finished at 42 (29-69) percent, 31 (9-29) percent, and 52.4 (11-21) percent respectively.
• The Spartans outrebounded the Timberwolves 44-36.
• TWU had 16 turnovers to UNBC's 23 18. The Spartans had a 16-9 edge in steals.
• The Spartans defeated the TRU WolfPack 67-33 Thursday night in Kamloops, BC
• TWU is currently 14-11 lifetime against the Timberwolves, and have won their last six games against UNBC.

 
About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country, and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 14 U SPORTS team championships and 34 Canada West team championships.
 
About Trinity Western University
Recognized for quality, TWU has received seven consecutive A+ rankings for Quality of Teaching and Learning, holds three Canada Research Chairs, and wins national championships in U SPORTS. More importantly, lives are changed at TWU through its whole-person, Christ-centred approach to education. With a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree-completion programs, TWU equips leaders of character and competence to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
 
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