Abbotsford, BC…The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women’s basketball team defeated the UNBC Timberwolves, 82-47, on the Cascades CIS “Shoot for the Cure” night at the Envision Athletic Centre. The win, UFV’s 13th regular season victory of the 2012-13 Canada West campaign is a new school record for victories in a regular season, in the Cascades seven year affiliation with the conference. The Cascades 13-3 record is good for first place in the Pacific Division and with six remaining games UFV can only continue to set school records for wins and winning percentage over the next three weekends. The Cascades are a perfect 8-0 at the EAC this year and the 82 points is the most scored at home in 2012-13.
2010-11 Record: 12-12
2011-12 Record: 12-6
2012-13 Record: 13-3 (6 games remaining)
The Cascades, ranked 4th in the CIS top ten poll, came out strong tonight, shooting 41 percent from the floor in the first half and led from start to finish as they opened with a six point run in the first quarter and led by four after the first stanza. In the second quarter, UFV played tremendous defense holding UNBC to 12 points and the Cascades went on an eight point run to close out the half and go into the break leading by 14 points. Like last night the Timberwolves committed 15 first half turnovers which led to 14 UFV points. The Cascades recorded 13 steals in the half led by Aieisha Luyken, Mission, BC and Courtney Bartel, Chilliwack, BC with three each.
Bartel led all scorers at the break with 11 points; Luyken added 9 and Sarah Wierks, Chilliwack, BC chipped in with 5 points and 5 boards. Eight different Cascades scored in the first half. The Timberwolves top scorer was Jennifer Bruce, Langley, BC with 9 points. Mercedes VanKoughnett, Prince George, BC led all UNBC players with 6 total rebounds. The Timberwolves shot 35 percent for the half.
The Cascades showed why they are in the top five in Canada as they dominated the second half of the game, outscoring their first year rivals from Prince George by 21 points, holding UNBC to 23 second half points. The Cascades continued to play tremendous defense and forced the Timberwolves to commit 27 turnovers in the game. UFV shot 55 percent in the second half as Luyken continued her hot hand from the first half scoring 12 second half points to lead UFV with a game high 21 point performance. Luyken’s 21 points came off of 7 three-point trays.
“I am so happy for the team to win our 13th game tonight. We have come a long way from my first year when we won two games,” said Luyken. “We have been doing the little things like training in the summer and by staying together as a team, we are very much a family.”
Bartel finished with 16 points and Kayli Sartori, Chilliwack, BC added 11 points in the victory. Ten different Cascades scored at least two points tonight giving Coach Al Tuchscherer a balanced offensive performance from the team. Sarah Wierks led all Cascades with 9 rebounds as UFV pulled down 34 for the game.
Bruce was top scorer for UNBC with 13 points; she was the only Timberwolves player in double figures. VanKoughnett finished with 9 boards as UNBC pulled down 30 for the game. UNBC shot 55 percent from the floor in the second half.
“Tonight was a good game for us, playing at the tempo we wanted to play at for close to 40 minutes. I think as the weekend went on we got stronger and that a good sign for our squad moving forward. UNBC has had a terrific first year in CW and I know our squad was excited to play them this weekend. I think this past week we learned a lot about competing and preparation and I’m excited to get back at it this week in preparation for our trip to Kelowna. Kelowna and UFV have a long history going back to our CCAA days and I’m excited to visit their city and gym after several years,” said UFV head coach Al Tuchscherer.
UNBC 12 12 11 12 = 47 (6-10)
UFV 16 22 28 16 = 82 (13-3)
UFV Cascades Photo courtesy of J Mah
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