Laura Garmendia Garcia is starting to find her groove at the U-Sports level.
The first-year player from Castelldefels, Spain posted 13 points and four rebounds for the UNBC Timberwolves on Thursday enroute to a 77-65 victory over the UBC Thunderbirds in Canada West women’s basketball at the Northern Sport Centre.
It’s been a long road for Garmendia Garcia who redshirted during the 2019-20 campaign with the T-Wolves and like all university athletes, was shut out from playing any games last season due to the pandemic.
In a post-game interview, the Spanish import noted the subtle differences of the North American style of basketball are starting to pay dividends.
“I guess I like the fact that I am getting used to U-Sports and the team as well as how things work here. It’s pretty different compared to what I am used to back home (in Spain) so I am just happy to be getting used to this league more and more and I hope it shows.”
POSTGAME: LGG talks @UNBCWomensBball‘s big win over @UBCWBBall! pic.twitter.com/seCWDtNZ2i
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) February 18, 2022
Garmendia Garcia is part of a very sizable trio in the paint for UNBC, which also includes Russian product Sveta Boykova and recently returning fifth-year Emma VanBruinessen.
All three played at least 20 minutes in the 12-point victory against the Thunderbirds combining for 28 points and 21 rebounds.
“Emma and Sveta are bigger players than me so they play at the five and four while I play at the four mostly. I think it would be pretty intimidating starting a game against both Sevta and Emma.”
“Putting me in the rotation gives our team a little bit more speed and we all compliment each other so it all works out really well.”
TWolves win the quarter 23-11 and hold a 58-45 lead going into the fourth quarter pic.twitter.com/EoaQ3otA92
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) February 18, 2022
After a tight first half, which saw UNBC hold a 35-34 spread, the Thunderbirds found themselves in foul trouble to begin the third quarter, putting the T-Wolves in the bonus within the first three minutes.
The Timberwolves outscored UBC 23-11 to end the third quarter.
UNBC (converted on 54% of its field goals (28-for-52) while also collecting 44 of its points in the paint.
In addition, Anastasia Soltes and Alina Shakirova chipped in 19 and 14 points respectively.
UBC captain Kate Johnson chipped in with 17 points in defeat.
The Timberwolves won the season series by taking two of three meetings, all of which were in Prince George.
“I think just hearing the word UBC with the word win in the same sentence is a great feeling for everyone,” added Garmendia Garcia.
Both UNBC varsity teams are back in action on Saturday afternoon when they host the Trinity Western Spartans at 1 and 3 pm from the Northern Sport Centre.
POSTGAME: @UBCWBBall / @ubctbirds veteran Dina Strujic talks after the T-Birds tough loss to @UNBCWomensBball in @CanadaWest play. Strujic finished with 11 points & 6 boards off the bench. pic.twitter.com/5AWku4kazf
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) February 18, 2022
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