Abbotsford, BC…The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women’s basketball team defeated the University of Victoria Vikes, 63-49, in Canada West regular season action, at the Envision Athletic Centre. The Cascades improve their record to a perfect 3-0, while the Vikes fall to 2-1 in conference plasy.
In a battle of two undefeated Canada West teams, the Victoria Vikes came out strong matching the CIS number two ranked UFV Cascades shot for shot in the first quarter. UFV opened the game with a mini five point run but midway through the quarter the Vikes caught up and led by two points for the remainder of the quarter. In the second quarter both teams played stellar defense holding the offenses in check, in a quarter that saw 16 total points scored by both teams. The game was tied at the break, 27-27.
The Cascades were led by Aieisha Luyken, Mission, BC who scored 13 points. Sarah Wierks, Chilliwack, BC and Nicole Wierks, Chilliwack, BC each scored six points as the three combined for 98 percent of UFV’s first half offense. The Vikes were led by Jessica Renfrew, Victoria, BC with a team high 11 points Debbie Yeboah, Winnipeg, Manitoba added 5 points as Victoria’s first half offense was more distributed with six different players scoring at least two points. UFV shot 40 percent for the half, while Victoria hit at a 33 percent clip.
The second half started with UFV going on a six point run to open up the largest lead of the night, the third quarter was also low scoring as the a total of 29 points were score with UFV leading by five points going into the final quarter. The Cascades did a great job of holding Victoria’s offense in check in the last quarter as they were able to pull ahead by double digits en route to the 14 point victory. The Cascades shot 50 percent in the second half and 46 percent for the game. The Cascades defense again held the opponent to a score under 50 points as they forced 19 turnovers by the Vikes in he game.
“Defensively I thought both teams executed their game plan and for three quarters it was a defensive battle that made the game a bit of a grind,” said Al Tuchscherer, UFV Cascades head coach.
UFV was led by Luyken with a game high 17 points, six assists and five rebounds. Sarah Wierks added 15 points and 6 boards while six different Cascades scored all 63 points tonight. Nicole Wierks led all Cascades with 10 total rebounds as UFV out rebounded Victoria 37 to 29 for the game.
The Vikes were led by Renfrew’s team high 15 points; Yeboah was the only other Vike in double figures with 13 points. Tessla Rennie, Red Lodge, Montana pulled down a team high 7 boards.
“I thought Victoria did a great job of taking us out of our offensive rhythm. We didn’t do a great job of adjusting to their defensive pressure. I thought when the Vikes opened the door slightly we took advantage and that was the turning point in the game,” commented Tuchscherer.
The Vikes and Cascades play game two of the two game regular season series tomorrow night at the Envision Athletic Centre, game time is set for 5pm.
UVic 20 7 12 10 = 49
UFV 18 9 17 19 = 63
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