PRINCE GEORGE, BC – Timberwolves kept their playoff hopes alive with an exciting 81-65 finish over the MacEwan University Griffins Friday night at the Northern Sport Centre. The Timberwolves move to 8-7 on the season while the Griffins fall to 5-10.
 
Devin McMurtry (Surrey, BC) had a stand-out night for the second weekend in a row with 14 points, 20 rebounds and three blocks. Fellow fifth year forward Franco Kouagnia (Yaounde, CMR) put up a double-double of his own with 23 points and 12 boards. Rhys Elliott (Adelaide, AUS) and Billy Cheng (Richmond, BC) chipped in 19 and 14 apiece.
 
For the Griffins, Keith Gerdes (Edmonton, AB) and Denzel James (Edmonton, AB) were key. Gerdes netted 18 points and five rebounds, while James put up 16 points and five rebounds.
 
The Timberwolves came out hot, taking an early lead over the Griffins. McMurtry gave the Twolves an edge, pulling in seven boards in the first quarter. Outscoring the Griffins 19-7 UNBC held a 12-point lead moving into the second quarter.
 
Ryan May (Daysland, AB) brought the intensity up for the Griffins, putting in eight points and pulling three rebounds. May battled down low against Kouagnia who managed to keep things even by putting in eight points of his own. The Griffins outscored the Twolves in the second closing the gap to 37-32 at half.
 
Again the Griffins got into a groove and were able to out play the Twolves in the third. Gerdes went off for MacEwan scoring half of his points in the third quarter alone. McMurtry added two key buckets near the end of the quarter to give UNBC a narrow 54-53 lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
 
To start the fourth Elliott netted seven points in two and half minutes to start the Twolves off on the right foot. MacEwan kept it close until late in the fourth when a put-back dunk by Kouagnia gave the Twolves a much needed energy boost. The Twolves finished the quarter on a 13-1 run. The UNBC Timberwolves finished 81-65 over the MacEwan University Griffins.
 
Both teams return to the Northern Sport Centre tomorrow night. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. PST and can be viewed live on canadawest.tv