The University of the Fraser Valley women’s basketball team lost to the Saskatchewan Huskies in non-conference action on Thursday evening, but there were plenty of positive signs for Al Tuchscherer’s youthful squad.
After falling behind by double digits in the first quarter, the Cascades battled back and pushed one of Canada’s elite programs down to the wire, ultimately falling by a 62-57 score.
It was UFV’s opening game at an exhibition tournament hosted by the University of Regina Cougars. The Cascades are back in action on Friday against the host Cougars at 6 p.m. (all game times Pacific), and on Saturday they wrap up the tourney with a 10 a.m. tilt vs. the Carleton Ravens.
“There were a lot of real positive things in the game,” head coach Tuchscherer said, reflecting on the performance vs. the Huskies. “If we can build around those bits and pieces and string them from possession to possession, I think we’ll be all right.
“We showed we could defend at times, and we had some good performances. Sarah Wierks did some great things on defence, ripped some boards, scored some points.”
Indeed, fifth-year centre Wierks turned in a fabulous performance on Thursday, racking up game-high totals in both points (19) and rebounds (13). Third-year forward Katie Brink chipped in with 10 points and nine boards in 25 minutes off the bench.
The Huskies, playing without star centre Dalyce Emmerson, got 14 points apiece from Kelsey Trulsrud and Laura Dally.
The Cascades dominated on the glass, out-rebounding the Huskies 45-33, but didn’t fare as well in the turnover department, giving the ball away 28 times compared to 21 for Saskatchewan.
UFV and Saskatchewan carved out a good rivalry last season, when they clashed in two important games. The Huskies beat the Cascades 66-56 in the Canada West final on March 8, but UFV got their revenge in the CIS bronze medal game on March 16, toppling Sask 69-57.
Comments are closed.