WBB: NBC takes first-round victory over BDN
March 4, 2022
Canada West Women's Basketball Playoffs saw an intense battle between the Brandon University Bobcats and the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves tonight, with the Timberwolves coming out triumphant, 87-60.
Tonight's game was physical right out the gate, with the very first play resulting in a wrestling match on the hardwood. The first bucket of the night came from NBC's Svetlana Boykova, who finished the night with an impressive double-double, 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Boykova wasn't the only one on the Timberwolves roster to record a double-double tonight. Laura Garmendia Garcia had 12 rebounds of her own with 10 points coming from in the paint.
It was Emma vanBruinessen that stole the show. She has averaged 6.1 rebounds per game leading up to tonight, but shocked everyone when she fought off the Bobcats and grabbed 20. On top of her defensive performance, vanBruinessen led her team on the scoreboard with 15 points.
"We actually had a conversation before we came here about what our game plan is when we aren't shooting well, but today i don't think we really had to deal with that," said vanBruinessen. "We definitely shot lights out."
The Bobcats were the underdog coming into the match, ranked 17 and about facing off against the number nine ranked Timberwolves. And for Brandon, what is shown on the stats sheet doesn't represent the quality and effort shown on the hardwood tonight.
BDN outshot NBC the entire night, with 50 attempts from beyond the arch and 74 from inside compared to the 16 three-points and 69 from the field put up by the Timberwolves.
Leading the way for the Bobcats was Chelsea Misskey. The five foot five fifth year guard was a driving force in all aspects of the game, forcing herself to be a contender under the basket and grabbed two rebounds. Her speed took the Timberwolves by surprise and was able to steal five balls, bringing possession back to her team, and adding a total 11 points to the board.
"It was a tough one. I mean, this is our first playoff game," said Misskey. "We've been in the playoffs maybe once before so I mean we were pretty nervous but we knew what we had to do. Shots weren't hitting but we stuck together to the last minute and never gave up. We're on the come up and we're keeping our heads high."
Misskey and vanBruinessen were named players of the game tonight after both put up career high performances.
But the biggest moment of the night came with 1.3 seconds left in the third quarter when Bobcat's Andrea Taruc made a hail mary shot from half court. This was truly a turning point for Brandon and sparked a new sense of urgency and drive from the entire roster.
"Really, in the first quarter and the fourth quarter, I thought we played quite well," said Brandon coach James Bambury. "All year, our game plan was getting a three, getting to the paint, or keeping moving the ball. We kept getting wide open looks. Unfortunately, if you're not going to make them, that's the nature of the beast."
For Brandon University this ends their season, but the University of Northern British Columbia continue their playoff journey tomorrow night. The Timberwolves will meet up against the University of Regina Cougars for a five p.m. tip off in Kenyon Court at Mount Royal University. This will be their first game against each other since pre-covid.
This is a game you won't want to miss. Catch this second-round match-up tomorrow on Canada West TV presented by Co-op.
Tonight's game was physical right out the gate, with the very first play resulting in a wrestling match on the hardwood. The first bucket of the night came from NBC's Svetlana Boykova, who finished the night with an impressive double-double, 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Boykova wasn't the only one on the Timberwolves roster to record a double-double tonight. Laura Garmendia Garcia had 12 rebounds of her own with 10 points coming from in the paint.
It was Emma vanBruinessen that stole the show. She has averaged 6.1 rebounds per game leading up to tonight, but shocked everyone when she fought off the Bobcats and grabbed 20. On top of her defensive performance, vanBruinessen led her team on the scoreboard with 15 points.
"We actually had a conversation before we came here about what our game plan is when we aren't shooting well, but today i don't think we really had to deal with that," said vanBruinessen. "We definitely shot lights out."
The Bobcats were the underdog coming into the match, ranked 17 and about facing off against the number nine ranked Timberwolves. And for Brandon, what is shown on the stats sheet doesn't represent the quality and effort shown on the hardwood tonight.
BDN outshot NBC the entire night, with 50 attempts from beyond the arch and 74 from inside compared to the 16 three-points and 69 from the field put up by the Timberwolves.
Leading the way for the Bobcats was Chelsea Misskey. The five foot five fifth year guard was a driving force in all aspects of the game, forcing herself to be a contender under the basket and grabbed two rebounds. Her speed took the Timberwolves by surprise and was able to steal five balls, bringing possession back to her team, and adding a total 11 points to the board.
"It was a tough one. I mean, this is our first playoff game," said Misskey. "We've been in the playoffs maybe once before so I mean we were pretty nervous but we knew what we had to do. Shots weren't hitting but we stuck together to the last minute and never gave up. We're on the come up and we're keeping our heads high."
Misskey and vanBruinessen were named players of the game tonight after both put up career high performances.
But the biggest moment of the night came with 1.3 seconds left in the third quarter when Bobcat's Andrea Taruc made a hail mary shot from half court. This was truly a turning point for Brandon and sparked a new sense of urgency and drive from the entire roster.
"Really, in the first quarter and the fourth quarter, I thought we played quite well," said Brandon coach James Bambury. "All year, our game plan was getting a three, getting to the paint, or keeping moving the ball. We kept getting wide open looks. Unfortunately, if you're not going to make them, that's the nature of the beast."
For Brandon University this ends their season, but the University of Northern British Columbia continue their playoff journey tomorrow night. The Timberwolves will meet up against the University of Regina Cougars for a five p.m. tip off in Kenyon Court at Mount Royal University. This will be their first game against each other since pre-covid.
This is a game you won't want to miss. Catch this second-round match-up tomorrow on Canada West TV presented by Co-op.