BRANDON, Man. – A hot start on offence and stifling defence proved to be the difference as the UBC Thunderbirds started 2023 with a 76-41 win Friday night over the Brandon Bobcats.
 
The Thunderbirds started the game on a 16-0 run and unfortunately for the Bobcats that was the beginning of a one-sided quarter.
 
Brandon got on the board thanks to a Kelsey Starchuck free-throw, but UBC continued the torrid pace out of the gate, outscoring BU 31-5 in the first quarter.
 
"They came out with more intensity than we did," says Brandon head coach James Bambury.
 
"We were put back on our heels a little bit and their on-ball pressure created a lot of opportunities for them that we just didn't match until the end of the first quarter."
 
The Bobcats managed to pick things up in the second, outscoring UBC 15-10 in the frame.
 
Turnovers plagued the Bobcats in the first half, registering 15 while UBC managed 17 points off turnovers in the first quarter.
 
Four T-Birds finished in double figures, led by Olivia Weekes' game-high 12 points.
 
Emily Martindale, Mona Berlitz and Taelor Coxford all contributed 10 points in the win.
 
The Bobcats were led by sophomore guard Reetta Tulkki's team-high 10 points.
 
Brandon rookie Faith Clearsky had another strong performance off the bench, finishing with seven points.
 
The win improves UBC's record to 6-3.
 
The Bobcats remain winless on the season at 0-11.
 
The two teams meet again Saturday afternoon to conclude the weekend series.
 
Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. CT.