The UBCO Heat men’s and women’s basketball squads earned their first Canada West wins of the season on home court, turning aside the Trinity Western Spartans on Friday night.
TWU returned the favour in both games on Saturday night, as the two sides settled a weekend on the UBCO hardwood.
In the men’s game Friday, Yassine Ghomari led the way for UBCO with 24 points as the Heat bettered the Spartans 75-73.
Ghomari was also effective in a defensive mode, pressuring TWU veteran Mark Perrin who was held to just six points.
Fellow guard Mitch Goodwin was solid in a support role for the Heat with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists.
“It’s great playing with him,” Ghomari said of Goodwin. “He’s very unselfish, he’s great to play with, and he’s always getting better. We gel very well together and we’re both looking for each other. When we’re both on…”
On Saturday, a more energized TWU team got even with UBCO with a 92-70 victory.
Goodwin scored another 18 points to lead the Heat, while fifth-year Landry Ndayitwayeko had 11 points, including 3-for-7 from the arc.
The Heat (3-11) will visit the Fraser Valley Cascades for back-to-back games this weekend.
Heat women
In women’s action Friday, second-year post Kayla McFadden carried much of the load for the Heat with 14 points and nine rebounds in a 67-62 win over the Spartans.
“It feels awesome,” said McFadden, the Pitt Meadows native, as the Heat won for the third time this season. “It always feels really good, and it was a team effort, and that’s always the best way to win.”
Emily Kanester also had strong night with 15 points, while Sarah Allison had 14 and was 4-for-4 from the line.
On Sarturday, TWU bounced back with a 59-50 victory.
Emily Kanester had a team-high 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting for UBCO. McFadden added 10 points and six boards.
The Heat (3-11) will be at the Envision Athletic Centre in Abbotsford this coming weekend for two games with the Cascades.
