The UFV Cascades women’s basketball team (9-4) were preparing for a tough road game tonight against the Thompson River University WolfPack (7-6), but it took them only 10 minutes and a 29 to 3 lead to determine that this wasn’t TRU night. The Cascades went on to take the game 75-41, winning ever quarter and leading in every statistical category except free throw percentage and turnovers.
“We didn’t play well from the get go,” said TRU head coach Scott Reeves. “Fraser Valley played like champions. They played like a team, they were disciplined, they were talking. We just didn’t show up.”
UFV did indeed look like a team vying for a national championship as they expanded their lead to 46-17 at halftime. While TRU entered this weekend only a single win behind Fraser Valley, and while UFV was a vulnerable 2-2 in their previous four conference games, the Cascades showed no weakness tonight against their divisional rivals. Four Cascades (Aieisha Luyken, Sarah Wierks, Nicole Wierks, and Nataliia Gavryliuk) scored into the double-digits, 11 UFV players posted rebounds, and all but two recorded a steal.
Luyken led UFV with 16 points (going 5 for 10 from beyond the arc). Sarah Wierks accumulated 13 points and nine rebounds, while Gavryliuk grabbed 12 points and 4 steals. Nicole Wierks, Sarah Wierks, and Kayli Sartori have all averaged more than 10 points a game this season, forming the core of a UFV offense almost as potent as the Cascades defense.
“We had a great start to the game tonight. I thought the girls really came in focused and ready to compete,” said UFV head coach Al Tuchscherer. “After the first it was a relatively even game and I’m sure TRU is excited to get back at it tomorrow and build on that. We will have to come with the same energy tomorrow night to get a second win this weekend.”
The Cascades will play the WolfPack again tomorrow at 5 pm. Watch the game online at canadawest.tv
*With files from TRU SIO Larry Read
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