WBB: Shakirova's 33 pushes TWolves to 80-71 win over Pack on opening night

Women's Basketball
October 29, 2021

Alina Shakirova had 33 points to go along with 10 rebounds, as the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves topped the TRU WolfPack 80-71 on Canada West opening night, Friday, October 29th in Kamloops.

In the early part of the first quarter, both teams looked scattered, trading turnovers and fouls. However, it was the TWolves full court press that helped the visitors settle down and find their rhythm. A trio of turnovers in the TRU backcourt led to easy looks for UNBC, resulting in a Sveta Boykova three-pointer, an Alina Shakirova three-point play, and four Anastasia Soltes free throws. Halfway through the opening frame, the Timberwolves held a 16-7 advantage.

The WolfPack would settle down, as the teams traded buckets the rest of the quarter. UNBC held a 29-20 lead after ten minutes, fueled by Shakirova’s 11 points. Josie Mackie was the WolfPack high-scorer with five points.

“It is always important to get to a good start, and get a feel of the game,” said Shakirova. “Especially in the first game, you feel that energy, and look to try to maintain that the rest of the way.”

In the second frame, TRU started to chip away at the Timberwolves advantage, led by Kyla Smith getting to the free-throw line and making good on a number of occasions. UNBC did well to push back, led by a pair of Shakirova layups to restore the lead to double digits.

However, the WolfPack didn’t back down. Elana Sireni and Kelsey Cruz each gathered offensive rebounds and converted putbacks, and a Smith trey cut the lead back to four points. However, it was again Shakirova responding, getting to the line and making a long three for the TWolves.

At halftime, UNBC held a 47-39 lead, fueled by Shakirova’s monster 26 point, five rebound effort. The WolfPack had well distributed scoring, led by Smith’s nine points. Sireni and Cruz each had seven at the break.

“Credit to TRU. They were really energetic. They were crashing the boards and doing a good job getting second chances,” said Shakirova, postgame. “We had problems. It was a battle. They were playing us really tough.”

Early in the third quarter, it was the Russian duo of Boykova and Shakirova who settled UNBC and down and provided the pushback to a WolfPack push. The TRU defense was stingy, pressuring the ball all over the court, but both teams had trouble getting on the scoreboard for much of the frame. Kelsey Cruz was a bright spot for Thompson Rivers, battling at both ends of the court, trying to will her team to victory on opening night. After three quarters, the Timberwolves clung to a 64-52 lead.

In the fourth quarter, freshman guard Sarah Kuklisin got the offense going with a great layup in traffic, followed by a fast break assist on a Soltes jumper. Sireni showed her compete level at the other end with some tremendous work on the glass, and well-earned free throws.

As the clock ticked down, the TWolves couldn’t separate from a game WolfPack team, but did enough to hold them off, earning an 80-71 win.

Shakirova was the story for UNBC, scoring 33 points, to go along with 10 rebounds. The Russian forward holds a share of the team’s single-game record with 36 points, along with longtime teammate Madison Landry.

Boykova made some Timberwolves history in her UNBC debut, grabbing 22 rebounds, including nine on the offensive end. The 22 boards surpassed Vasiliki Louka’s team record of 20 rebounds, set in 2019. Boykova added ten points and four assists.

“Sveta is sp crucial for us. She can clean up the boards and it is so important to how we want to play,” said Shakirova, of her fellow Russian. “ We cannot get out and run in transition without her work.”

Rebecca Landry was strong, dropping 16 points, to go along with four rebounds and three steals.

TRU was led by Sireni, who had 15 points and 13 boards in a gritty effort. Cruz chipped in with 13 points and five rebounds, while Smith added 11 points.

“It feels amazing. To play a game after so long off, and start with a win,” said Shakirova. “Hopefully it sets a mindset for the rest of the season. We can win games. That’s what we want to do.”