Kelowna, BC…The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women’s basketball team withstood a tremendous first half by the UBC Okanagan Heat to win their 15th Canada West regular season game of the season, 69-62, in Kelowna, BC. The Cascades, ranked 4th in the CIS top ten poll, improve their Pacific Division leading record to 15-3 and are now tied with the Regina Cougars and Calgary Dinos for the best record overall in Canada West. Calgary defeated Regina tonight, 79-68. The Heat’s record falls to 5-14.
The UBC Okanagan Heat came out on fire tonight scoring 18 of the first 20 points in the game. It is the first time this year that UFV trailed by 15 points after the first quarter. UBC Okanagan hit 66 percent of their shots to start the game and continue to hold onto the lead through the second quarter. The Cascades shot 44 percent in the half, but the early deficit was too much to catch by the break, as they trailed by 7 points. Aieisha Luyken, Mission, BC led all Cascades with 10 points.
In the second half, UFV started to close the gap and eventually caught the Heat at the end of the third quarter, as UFV’s first lead came at the buzzer 55-53. In the fourth quarter UBC Okanagan would not go away but the Cascades defense tighten up and held the Heat to 9 final quarters points. UFV shot a respectable 36 percent in the half and held on for a key road comeback victory.
Kayli Sartori, Chilliwack, BC led UFV in scoring with a 20 point performance. Sartori also recorded 6 rebounds and 3 steals. Luyken ended the game with 12 points and 4 assists and Nicole Wierks, Chilliwack, BC added 9 points, 3 steals and 3 assists. The
Cascades forced UBC Okanagan to commit 24 turnovers and they also recorded 14 steals in the game. UFV pulled down 37 rebounds tonight.
“Character win for us tonight after going down so big in the first half. Although I didn’t like our start, I really like the poise we had in coming back. UBC Okanagan shot the ball incredibly well this weekend. Really impressed with the energy and fight they brought to the game, said UFV head coach Al Tuchscherer.
UFV 10 24 21 14 = 69 (15-3)
UBC O 25 16 12 9 = 62 (5-14)
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