PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — The University of Alberta Golden Bears stormed back from a double-digit deficit to defeat the UNBC Timberwolves 74–67 in overtime on Saturday night at the Northern Sport Centre. 

Simon led Alberta with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Varner added 15. Evgeny Baukin paced UNBC with 23 points, and Haukur Davidsson added 10.

The win lifts Alberta to 3–1 on the season, while UNBC falls to 1–2.

First Half

UNBC built early momentum behind Evgeny Baukin's post presence and Tony Kibonge's outside shooting. Kibonge knocked down a pair of early threes, while Baukin scored five first-quarter points as the Timberwolves led 20–18 after one.

In the second, the hosts extended their lead to 45–34 by halftime thanks to a 25-point quarter. Milan Pasquale and Haukur Davidsson connected on three-pointers, and Baukin added seven points in the frame. Alberta's Caiden Kushnir kept his team within reach, scoring seven in the period, including a three-point play at 6:18 to cut the deficit to ten before UNBC pulled away late

Second Half

The Golden Bears clawed back in the third with improved defence and rebounding. Isaac Simon led the charge, scoring eight of his 16 points in the quarter, including a three-pointer and a pair of drives inside. Nate Waldron and Kyle Varner added baskets as Alberta cut the deficit to 54–48 heading into the fourth.

Varner took over in the final frame, draining two key three-pointers and adding a layup to push Alberta ahead 58–56 with just over six minutes left. Ethan Egert contributed a pair of assists, while Waldron finished off a Simon feed to give the Bears a 63–59 lead at the two-minute mark.

However, UNBC answered in the final seconds when Pasquale drove the lane and tied the game at 63–63 with two seconds remaining, forcing overtime

Overtime

Alberta dominated the extra period. Varner opened OT with two free throws, followed by a mid-range jumper from Nash Semeniuk to extend the lead to four. Simon scored inside on the next possession, and Waldron's layup made it 71–65. Despite a late basket from Baukin, Alberta sealed the win at the line as Semeniuk hit three of four free throws in the final 20 seconds.