The Brandon University men’s basketball team tipped off the 2014 portion of their Canada West schedule with a 74-70 triumph over the Thompson Rivers WolfPack on Friday night at the Healthy Living Centre.
"I think you saw a team that was a desperate team. We played with urgency on every possession," coach Gil Cheung told CKLQ’s Tyler Crayston. "We just didn’t mentally break down. Especially in the last two quarters. We were mentally able to stay focused for the whole last 20 minutes."
Jordan Reaves recorded a team-high 17 points for the Bobcats who upped their record to 3-8 and moved to within six points of the final playoff in the Prairie Division.
"Team work, ball movement and discipline," said Reaves. "Discipline was the #1 thing. We got down 10 at a point and not one of our team members held their head down. We all kept our heads ups, we all stayed focused and talked about what we needed to do and got it done."
Kenonte Ramsey was next with 16 points while Emerick Ravier added 13 points for BU.
Meanwhile, the Lady ‘Cats slipped late in the game and fell 62-59 against the WolfPack.
Stephanie Haynes had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds for Brandon who tied it 58-58 with just over 90 seconds to go, but couldn’t come through in the clutch.
"We believed for all but 45 seconds to a minute of the game and that was the most crucial point in the game. We didn’t believe for that little stretch, and that hurt us," said coach Novell Thomas.
Stephanie Hunter had 10 points while Kinsley Ransom and Kaela Cranston collected eight points each for BU who saw their record drop to 2-9.
The basketball teams are back in action at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday at the HLC against the UBC Okanagan Heat.