The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack have launched the 2015 portion of their Canada West men's basketball season with back to back victories over the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat.
The WolfPack downed the Heat 88-53 on the Warner Rentals Court at the Tournament Capital Centre on Saturday night (January 10). This followed a Friday (January 9) 95-66 win. Thompson Rivers has a 6-4 record in the Explorer Division while the Heat fall to 3-7.
"I don't know what we improved upon over last night," said TRU coach Scott Clark. "If you look at it that way it is like the score doesn't matter. You have jobs to do and responsibilities to fulfill. That is what you have to do. For the most part, we did those things. Offensively we did all right when the ball moved and it was shared. It was good to get everybody some game time."
The WolfPack had only a three point lead after the first quarter (19-16) and were up 41-29 at the half. Thompson Rivers outscored the Heat 33-7 in the third quarter to lead 74-36. UBCO did outgun the 'Pack 17-14 in a fourth quarter where TRU used most of their bench.
Brett Rouault (fifth year, guard, Vernon, BC) was the leading scorer for TRU for the second straight night with 18 points.
Three other 'Pack players were in double figures. Brett Parker
(fifth year, guard, Langley, BC) was named the "TRU
Bookstore/McDonalds Leader of the Pack" Player of the Game. He had
16 points and seven defensive rebounds to go along with two assists
in 26 minutes of playing time.
"Brett fulfilled his responsibilities defensively," said Clark.
"He is going to make some jump shots and execute the offense and
know what was going on. He was able to do those things. They
sound mundane but they are important to the team and it's a pretty
important role."
Josh Wolfram (fourth year, forward, Kamloops, BC) had 14 points while Victor Aguero (third year, guard, Vancouver, WA) added 13 points.
UBCO was led by Austin Penrose (first year, wing, West Vancouver, BC) with 11 points while Cameron Friesen (second year, wing, Abbotsford, BC) had 10.
TRU will hit the road for a pair of games next weekend (Jan 16-17) in Prince George against UNBC. The Heat will head home to entertain the Mount Royal Cougars next weekend.
The Cougars are the next home opponents for the 'Pack. They are at the Tournament Capital Centre on Friday January 23rd. Tip off is 8 pm.