VANCOUVER — The Winnipeg Wesmen wiped out a double-digit deficit in the second half, but weren't able to put away the upset.

The Wesmen women's basketball team came back from as many as 14 points down in the second half and held a brief lead in the fourth quarter before dropping a 76-70 Canada West conference decision to the UBC Thunderbirds Saturday night.

The Wesmen (12-8) trailed 62-48 with 2:21 to go in the third before going on a 14-0 run over the next 3:58 to tie the game on a Jillian Duncan lay-up. The Wesmen fell behind again on buckets from Keylyn Filewich and Kate Johnson, but took the lead with 4:55 to go on consecutive makes from Duncan, Jessica Dyck and Mikayla Funk. 

The T-Birds (16-4) closed the game on a 10-2 run to seal the victory.

Anna Kernaghan scored 11 points in the second quarter on her way to a team-high 18 points for Winnipeg. Kernaghan added a career-high eight rebounds and four assists. 

Funk came off the bench and scored her first career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, both career-highs. Dyck had 14 points and Lena Wenke added 10.

UBC was led by Filewich's 21 points and 11 rebounds. Hailey Counsell had 13 points off the bench and Jessica Hanson chipped in 10. 

The Wesmen now turn their attention to the post-season and a first-round clash with the Manitoba Bisons Friday night at the Duckworth Centre. The teams will tip off at 7 p.m. in the one-game first-round playoff. 

Tickets are available at wesmen.ca/tickets.

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