UNBC tops UPEI 76-67

Game recap by: Kirk Jessome

(Halifax, NS) – Game three of the 26^th annual Shoveller Memorial Invitational Basketball Tournament saw the UPEI Panthers take on the UNBC Timberwolves. Superior outside shooting got it done for UNBC as they took the win 76-67.

UPEI jumped out to a quick 11-4 lead in the first with D'Adrian Allen (Toronto, ON) picked up the team's first eight points on his own. The Timberwolves battled back into it with solid pick-and-roll attack, capped off by a great dish down low by Volodymyr Pluzhnikov (Kharkiv, Ukraine).

Allen dropped in another layup as time was expiring on the first quarter, with his Panthers trailing 17-15 to the Timberwolves. 

The second quarter was slow offensively for both teams, but UNBC quietly built their lead as they went on a 13-3 run through the first seven minutes. The Timberwolves scoring was spread throughout the lineup as multiple players were tied for the lead in scoring with only six points.

Heading into the half Matt Brar (Abbotsford, BC) hit a much needed shot from long-range to keep the Panthers in it, as UNBC went into the half leading 35-23.

The Timberwolves continued to hold their lead early in the second half by utilizing the three-point shooting touch Anthony Hokanson (Vancouver, BC), as he went 2-3 from deep in the quarter.

UPEI was able to find their touch from deep as well late in the third as they made a quick run to bring the game back within single digits. Dakelle Brooks (East Preston, NS) dropped in a layup as the last few seconds of the third quarter ticked away, with his Panthers trailing by nine heading into the fourth.

The scoring slowed down again in the fourth quarter. Adam Pahl (Okotoks, AB) hit a shot from deep for the first points three minutes into the quarter.

Hokanson kept the game in double digits late in the fourth with timely scoring, but the Panthers continued to pressure by getting to the line and stopping the clock.

Time ran out on the Panthers however as the clock expired and UNBC took this one 76-67. 

Dakelle Brooks earned the player of the game honour for UPEI with 11 points, two rebounds and two assists, while Adam Pahl was named player of the game for UNBC with nine points and six rebounds. 

UPEI will play tomorrow at 3:00, and UNBC will play at 8:00. The opponents of those games are determined by the outcome of the game of Dalhousie against MSVU.