TWU guard, WPG forward unstoppable in weekend performances
Gilbreath, Filewich earn CW Player of the Week honours
WINNIPEG – Ja'Qualyn Gilbreath and Keylyn Filewich were named the Canada West Basketball Players of Week by Canada West on Tuesday.
Gilbreath posted double-doubles in three matchups, all back-to-back, this weekend. He put up an astounding 38 points in the Spartans' first game, a 99-95 overtime loss against UFV. He then led his team to its first two wins of the season on Friday and Saturday.
He now leads Canada West in points per game, averaging 26 on the season. That puts him third among U SPORTS athletes.
The fifth-year guard contributed on the defensive side of the ball as well, grabbing 34 rebounds and eight steals over the three games.
On Thursday, Gilbreath set the pace for the weekend's games when he walked off the hardcourt with 38 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and five steals.
The next day, he put up 24 points and 10 rebounds, going a tidy nine for nine from the free throw line in the Spartans' 78-73 win over Thompson Rivers University.
The fatigue of playing major minutes in a back-to-back that included extra time didn't stop him from posting his third double-double Saturday, with 22 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block.
Gilbreath will move forward as one of the conference's nominees for U SPORTS Athlete of the Week.
The Spartans (2-7) will be back in action Friday, when they'll travel to the University of the Fraser Valley (4-3) for a rematch after last Thursday's overtime game. Tip off is set for 6 p.m.
Game log:
Jan. 13: 38 pts, 12 rebs, 4 asts, 5 stls in 99-95 L vs UFV
Jan. 14: 24 pts, 10 rebs in 78-73 W vs TRU
Jan. 15: 22 pts, 12 rebs, 4 asts, 3 stls in 94-78 W vs TRU
Meanwhile, Filewich filled every slot on the scoresheet for an unbeaten University of Winnipeg Wesmen team. Over two games, she put up 46 points, doled out assists, snatched up rebounds, and took the ball out of her opponents' hands.
She now ranks in the top five of Canada West for points per game (19.2) and rebounds per game (10.4), while leading U SPORTS in field goals per game (8.8) and field goal percentage (58.5%).
The fifth-year forward was an imposing presence on defence while grabbing up nine steals over two games.
On Friday, Filewich impressed with 28 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals, leading her team to a hearty 95-47 victory over the University of Manitoba Bisons.
She followed that up with 18 points, six rebounds, four assists, seven steals and two blocks in a more tightly contested win against the Bisons Saturday.
Filewich will move forward as one of the conference's nominees for U SPORTS Athlete of the Week.
The Wesmen (10-0) will be back in action on Jan. 28, when they take on the University of Saskatchewan Huskies at home. Tip off is slated for 6 p.m.
Game log:
Jan. 14: 28 pts, 12 rebs, 4 asts, 2 stls in 95-47 W vs MAN
Jan. 15: 18 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts, 7 stls, 2 blks in 77-61 W at MAN