KAMLOOPS – It came down to the very end of the game, but a young Thompson Rivers WolfPack men's basketball team was able to grind out a win over the visiting UBC Okanagan Heat Saturday night.
 
Brendan Sullivan was electric on the night for the WolfPack, scoring 30 points, knocking down eight three-pointers and also grabbing nine rebounds.
 
"He's one of the captains and the most veteran returning guy on our roster," said head coach Scott Clark on the third-year guard from Mill Bay, B.C. "He's a really skilled kid that's put in a lot of time. I'm happy for him, he works at it a heck of a lot and deserves all the success that he gets. As a freshman he sat on the bench and now he gets to reap the rewards of that."
 
Asher Mayan and Brad King also hit double digits, putting up 15 and 10 points respectively.
 
Imoudu Ibrahim put up 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Heat while Gus Goerzen and Jesse Vogel scored 12 and 11.
 
After the WolfPack stretched a lead all the way to 13 early in the second half of play, a massive run from the Heat to cap off the third sent the teams into the final 10 minutes of play with the 'Pack clinging to a 56-52 lead.
 
With the WolfPack running into foul trouble all the momentum was on the Heat's side when they took a 62-58 lead with just over seven minutes left to play. After losing a close game the night before, Sullivan was determined to not let it happen again however, scoring the next seven points for the WolfPack to keep his team in the game with the score showing 68-65 with three minutes left in the game.
 
"Really proud of our team, we are so young and have so much to learn, but it's great to get a win under our belt against a good team like UBC Okanagan," said Sullivan.
 
After Mayan tied it up with a three-pointer, the teams traded buckets down the stretch before Sullivan knocked down a jumper to give the 'Pack a 73-72 lead with 29 seconds on the clock. From there a massive defensive effort from the WolfPack forced a UBCO 24-second shot clock violation and the home team hit their free throws in the clutch en route to the victory.
 
"It was a grind, every possession was critical. We put ourselves in a bad position with fouls and you can't do that, that hurt us and that's how they clawed back into the game," said Clark. "Luckily enough we were able to get a couple stops and a couple rebounds when we needed them."
 
The Canada West season will continue next weekend. For the WolfPack it's a trip to Prince George, B.C. where they will face the UNBC Timberwolves. The Heat meanwhile, will remain on the road for a pair of games against the UVic Vikes in Victoria.
 
All of that action can be watched live on canadawest.tv.