Trinity Western second-year forward Nicole Fransson (Edmonton) had a career-high 26 points to lead the Spartans to a 63-52 win over UNBC to give TWU its first win of the season Saturday at the Langley Events Centre.
Fransson, who was the Canada West Rookie of the Year last season, shot 66.7 per cent (12-18) from the field, while grabbing seven rebounds to help TWU side improve to 1-3 on the year. Third-year TWU guard Kianna Wiens (Regina) added 17 points. Fransson’s previous best for points was 25, which she posted against Victoria last year (Nov. 23).
Alina Shakirova had a team-high 18 points for UNBC, while Madison Landry had 16 points for the Timberwolves, who fell to 1-3 on the year.
After an eight-point loss to the Timberwolves in Friday’s home-opener, the Spartans came out flying in the first quarter, opening a 24-12 lead.
UNBC swung back in the second quarter, nearly outscoring TWU in the frame before a buzzer-beating jumper from first-year Spartan Rolande Taylor (Langley) gave the home side a 42-29 lead and an 18-17 edge in the quarter. Wiens had a team-high 16 points at the break for the Spartans, while Landry had 14 for UNBC.
The third quarter was more of the same, with TWU expanding its lead to 19 points, 50-31, by the five-minute mark before going to the fourth quarter with a 56-35 edge.
The Timberwolves outscored the Spartans 17-7 in the fourth quarter, but TWU’s lead was never threatened with UNBC unable to get any closer than nine points. Shakirova had 10 points in the final frame to lead the visitors.
TWU finished the night shooting 44.7 per cent (17-38) from the field, while UNBC shot 38.7 per cent (12-31). The Spartans had a 43-32 edge on the glass.