Some late heroics by Aldrich Berrios led UBC Okanagan to victory Saturday night, as the Heat completed a weekend sweep of the Mount Royal Cougars in Canada West men’s basketball action.
With .8 seconds left in regulation, the second-year guard nailed a clutch three-point buzzer beater to tie the game.
Then, after Mount Royal turned the ball back over to the Heat, Berrios, from half court, stepped up again with a three-point bomb to seal an 87-84 victory for UBCO.
“A lot of credit has to go to Randall (Mosca) and the rest of the team for fighting and clawing our way back into that game,” said Berrios, whose Heat trailed by 10 at the half.
“We started off slow but really showed our character by battling our way back into the game. The two big shots I hit were just bound to happen whether by me or by someone else on the team. We just had a feeling.”
Mosca finished with a game and career-high 31 points, Berrios had 21, while Dean Johnston added 12 points and six rebounds.
A night earlier, it was Johnston providing some key baskets down the stretch as the Heat beat the Cougars 73-58.
Johnston finished with 18 points, while Berrios led the way with 23.
Austin Penrose contributed 10 points, while Mitch Goodwin had eight.
At 3-3, it is the Heat’s first three-game winning streak and best start in CIS history.
Pete Guarasci’s team will be on the road this weekend as the Heat travels to Edmonton for two games with the Grant MacEwan Griffins.
