PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – First-year Moriah Jansen paced the Trinity Western attack with 13 points and a game-high 12 rebounds to help lead the Spartans to a 64-51 win over UNBC Friday at the Northern Sports Centre. 

Just behind Jansen's offensive output was fellow rookie Maveleen Chahal, who had 12 points and four rebounds, and second-year Colette Van der Hoven, who had 12 points and five boards. 

Trailing by as much as 10 points early in the second half, at 34-24, the Spartans (3-2) rallied in a big way, outscoring UNBC (0-4) 42-23 over the final 20 minutes to seal the win.

UNBC's Viktoriia Filatova had a season-best 20 for the home side. Sergey Shchepotkin's club put forth their best effort of the young season to date and led for a good portion of the first-three quarters before the Spartans pulled away.

TWU had a 17-3 edge in second-chance points and the Spartans bench outscored UNBC's bench 34-13.

NOTABLE
•    The Spartans have won nine straight against the Timberwolves. TWU's last loss was Feb. 5, 2022 when the Spartans fell 74-69 at home. 
•    TWU hasn't lost a game in Prince George since Nov. 17, 2018 when the Spartans lost 83-54. 
•    TWU is 17-11 all-time against UNBC. 

UP NEXT 
TWU and UNBC will duke it out again Saturday at 5:00 pm at the Northern Sport Centre. 
 
QUOTABLE
Cheryl Jean-Paul, TWU Head Coach
"Tonight's game taught us how sometimes you just have to grind it out until things start to drop. We finished the game with a great fourth-quarter push, but the tempo and defensive focus weren't consistent enough earlier in the game. It was great to see two of our rookies step into the gap tonight - both were ready to be a catalyst, so we're looking forward to a better start and more of everyone else as well."

AS IT HAPPENED 
It took nearly two-and-a-half minutes for the scoring to start, but the TWolves struck first with two free throws from Manak. Van Der Hoven replied for the Spartans, before Manak's triple gave UNBC a 5-3 edge. A three from Filatova, a layup by Manak, and a Yana Shupak free throw pushed the lead to 11-5 early.

TWU responded with an 11-3 run to close the first, taking a 16-14 lead after 10 minutes. Jansen paced the Spartans with six points, while Manak tallied seven for UNBC.

The TWolves regained momentum in the second, opening with a 7-2 run highlighted by a Phillips three and Filatova's free throws for a 21-18 lead. UNBC's defense held TWU to just six points on 3-for-16 shooting, and late buckets from Filatova and Phillips helped the hosts lead 28-22 at half. Filatova had 12 points and Manak nine; Van Der Hoven led the Spartans with eight.

Manak opened the third with back-to-back threes for a 34-24 cushion, but TWU answered with a 12-0 run led by Myrlaine Shelvey, Chahal, and Cassidy Buchanan to go up two. Filatova tied it late, but a Shelvey free throw gave the Spartans a 37-36 edge heading to the fourth.

Manak's free throws briefly restored the lead, before Sydney Bradshaw's deep three sparked a 9-2 TWU run. The Spartans stretched their lead to 11 points midway through the quarter, with nine players on the scoresheet and Van Der Hoven leading the way with 10.

TWU's offense was simply too much down the stretch as they outscored the TWolves 27-15 in the final 10 on their way to a 64-51 victory. 

About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 11 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes in NAIA in cross country and track and field and as an independent team in men's rugby and women's and men's disc golf. 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 CIS 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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