Box Score VANCOUVER - There's a reason people watch the games instead of just perusing the box score.

On Friday night, the UBC Thunderbirds beat the Brandon Bobcats 90-75 in a game that was much closer than the score would indicate.

UBC took a 13-point lead into the half, but Brandon stormed back in the third quarter, eventually closing the gap entirely midway through the fourth. When UBC pulled back out ahead by 12, Brandon threatened once again, narrowing it to a two-score game.

In the final minutes, UBC managed to pull away and extend the margin of victory to the misleading final figure.

The initial comeback was buoyed by a hot-streak from long-range for Michael Smith, who hit triples on three straight possessions in the third quarter to help shrink the margin. Jordan Reaves also played a big part for the Bobcats, scoring 12 of his team-high 18 points in the second half.

Ilarion Bonhomme was perhaps the most difficult check. Although he shot just two-of-10, he lived at the free throw line and finished with 12 points, four rebounds and five assists.

Up next for the Bobcats is a Saturday contest against the host Victoria Vikes.