PRINCE GEORGE, BC - The UNBC Timberwolves took the series 3-1 and kept their playoff hopes alive after a 78-67 win over the MacEwan University Griffins. The Timberwolves advance to 9-7 while the Griffins fall to 5-11.

Rhys Elliott (Adelaide, AUS) was clutch for the Timberwolves down the stretch, netting three treys in the fourth quarter Elliott finished with 31 points. Devin McMurtry (Surrey, BC) put up his third double-double in a row with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while fourth year guard Billy Cheng (Richmond, BC) controlled the court for the Twolves and contributed 10 assists, seven points.

The Griffins were led by fourth year forward Ryan May (Daysland, AB). May went 7-11 from the field for 15 points and four rebounds. Keith Gerdes (Edmonton, AB) netted 14 points, while Denzel James (Edmonton, AB) chipped in 12.

After an exciting finish the Timberwolves came out firing. Rhys Elliott (Adelaide, AUS) nailed six points early in the quarter to help the Twolves to a 11-2 run to start. Sam Zhang (Pitt Meadows, BC) chipped in six off the bench. Lee Danderfer (Grande Prairie, AB) controlled the floor for the Griffins keeping them tight with five points of his own.

Elliott continued his hot streak netting an additional nine points in the second quarter but Keith Gerdes (Edmonton, AB) was able to answer with eight of his own, keeping the Griffins within striking distance of the Twolves. Back and forth play kept the Griffins within three of UNBC until the final play when quick ball movement from the Twolves lead to an open three from Jeff Chu (Vancouver, BC). Chu sank the trey to give the Timberwolves a 42-36 lead at half.

McMurtry had a strong third quarter for the Timberwolves, with eight points capped off with an and one to put the Twolves up seven with 45 seconds left in the third. Harrison Lane (Edmonton, AB) drained a three in the Griffins final possession to bring his team within four points of the Timberwolves. At the end of three the Griffins trailed by a narrow margin, 60-56.

The Griffins battled with the Twolves in the final 10 minutes, going back and forth between possessions. Half way through the fourth Danderfer sank a corner three to put his team up 65-64 but Elliott came down the floor and answered with one of his own to give the Twolves a two point lead. Trailing by two the Griffins had a chance to even the score but a block from Franco Kouagnia (Yaounde, CMR) shut down MacEwan's possession. Again Elliott came down the floor and nailed a three to put the Timberwolves up 70-65 with 2:50 to play. The Griffins would only score one more time in the remainder of the quarter. At the final whistle the Timberwolves finished 78-67 over the Griffins.

The MacEwan University Griffins return home next weekend to host the UBC Okanagan Heat in a double header.

The UNBC Timberwolves host UFV Cascades in their final home games of the season. The games are set for February 6 and 7.