Abbotsford, BC…The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women’s basketball team defeated the University of Alberta Pandas, 74-50, at the Envision Athletic Centre. The Cascades, Canada’s number one ranked team in the CIS top ten poll, improve their Pacific Division leading record to 11-1, in Canada West. The Pandas record falls to 7-5 in the Prairie Division of Canada West.
The rust came off last night’s performance against Saskatchewan, and UFV played a total game tonight controlling all aspects leading from the opening whistle to the final whistle. The Cascades opened the contest by scoring the game’s first six points as they quickly opened up a lead and kept Alberta from tying the game, as UFV led by five points after the first quarter. In the second, UFV’s defense went to work holding the powerful Panda offense to 13 points while they built up an 11 point halftime lead. UFV shot 42 percent in the half, while Alberta shot only 25 percent from the floor.
The Cascades were led by Sarah Wierks, Chilliwack, BC with 14 points and 5 rebounds. The Pandas were paced Anneka Bakker, Ottawa, Ontario with 9 points.
In the second half, UFV showed why they are ranked number one in Canada, as they shut Alberta down holding them to 25 points in the half, while shooting a remarkable 57 percent in the half scoring 38 points to blow the game wide open and win their 11th of the year by 24 points. The Cascades moved the ball around tonight, picked up key rebounds and forced Alberta to commit 17 turnovers to show the packed house, at the EAC that they are looking to continue their win streak which now sits at six straight at home.
The Cascades were led by Aieisha Luyken, Mission, BC with a game high 20 points. Sarah Wierks added 18 points and a 6 rebounds and Nicole Wierks, Chilliwack, BC chipped in with 17 points. Courtney Bartel, Chilliwack, BC led all Cascades with 8 total rebounds, 5 steals and 6 assists.
The Pandas top scorer was Andria Carlyon, Dapp, Alberta with 16 points. Bakker finished with 9 points and Saskia Van Ginhoven, Edmonton, Alberta led the Pandas with 7 rebounds as Alberta out rebounded UFV 30-25 for the game.
“I thought tonight was our best team effort of the season. The officials came out and really put a leash on the game early and both teams really had to manage their benches in this one. I thought we had some great performances from Sam Kurath, Alexa McCarthy, and Celeste Dyck amongst other and that was really one of the key differences in this game,” commented Al Tuchscherer, head coach.
“We talked about the importance of putting two solid performances together on back to back nights against quality opponents and I thought we did that this weekend. We can really build from these two wins. I am looking forward to Calgary and Lethbridge next weekend.”
UA 12 13 15 10 = 50 (7-5)
UFV 17 19 22 16 = 74 (11-1)
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