Abbotsford, BC…..The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women’s basketball team defeated the Trinity Western University Spartans, 77-66, tonight at the Envision Athletic Centre. The Cascades improve their Pacific Division leading record to 17-4 and with a win tomorrow night against TWU, in Langley, could wrap up their first ever division title since joining Canada West seven years ago. The Spartans record drops to 7-14.
Tonight’s game was very entertaining in the first half as the young Spartans gave the more experienced Cascades, Canada’s fourth ranked team in the CIS top ten, all they could handle. The Cascades jumped out to an early lead and established an eight point lead midway through the first quarter. UFV would hold onto that lead until the four minute mark of the second quarter when TWU would outscore the Cascades 10-2 to tie the game at 25 each. After an UFV timeout, the Cascades shut the door holding TWU to four points over the final five minutes and re-establish their 8 point lead going into the break, at 37-29.
The Cascades shot 37 percent from the floor in the half, while TWU shot a very respectable 35 percent. Both teams committed 10 turnovers in the half as the defenses dominated the majority of the half. Nicole Wierks, Chilliwack, BC led UFV with 8 points and 6 rebounds at the intermission. Aieisha Luyken, Mission, BC and Kayli Sartori, Chilliwack, BC each scored six points as nine different Cascades contributed in the half with at least two points.
The Spartans were led by Holly Storm, Calgary, Alberta with a game high 11 points, Sarah Cleveland, Elizabeth, Colorado added 6 points and Emily Knauff, Maple Ridge, BC pulled down 3 rebounds for TWU.
In the third quarter, TWU continued to hold UFV’s top scorers in check and compete with the Cascades as they held UFV to 16 points and trailed by 10 going into the final quarter, where they again stayed with UFV. The Spartans closed out the game with a 10-4 run to narrow the final score to 11 points. UFV shot an amazing 54 percent from the floor in the second half. The Cascades were led by Nicole Wierks 17 points, 5 assists and 11 rebounds. Luyken finished with 11 points and Katie Brink, Abbotsford, BC with 10 points. The Cascades pulled down 38 team rebounds and forced 22 TWU turnovers in the victory tonight.
“I like how our bench stepped up tonight. They really gave us a spark and that is going to be huge for us as we head to play-offs. Things only get harder when you play a team on the second night, especially at their place. Tomorrow we will need to take our game to another level to get the outcome we need,” said UFV head coach Al Tuchscherer.
TWU’s top scorer was Strom with 12 points. Cleveland chipped in with 10 points and Chantelle Martin, Surrey, BC rounded out the Spartans in double figures with 10 points. Knauff pulled down 6 boards as TWU recorded 26 for the night.
The two teams will meet tomorrow night in Langley in the final Canada West regular season game for both teams.
TWU 12 17 14 23 = 66 (7-14)
UFV 20 17 16 24 = 77 (17-4)
Saturday, February 16
UFV Cascades @ TWU Spartans (Langley Events Centre) 5pm
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