CASCADES WIN SCHOOL’S FIRST EVER CANADA WEST REGULAR SEASON TITLE
Langley, BC…. The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women’s basketball team ended the Canada West regular season campaign on a high note as they defeat the Trinity Western University Spartans for the second night in a row. UFV’s 2012-13 regular season record finishes at 18-4 while TWU falls to 7-15. The Cascades established a new win mark for the program at 18, shattering the old mark set last year at 12. The Cascades enter the Canada West post-season as Pacific Division champs, the school’s first-ever regular season title. The team is ready to face the University of Saskatchewan next week on home court in quarter-final action.
Tonight’s game against the Spartans was close until the final quarter, the Cascades held a small lead over the Spartans at the half, 39-37. The contest proved to be a “Battle of the Valley” with the arch-rival Spartans continuously challenging the Cascades resolve. Over the course of the night the game was tied 13 times and the lead changed hands 11 times.
Cascades forward Kayli Sartori, Chilliwack, BC, opened the scoring for UFV with a beautiful three-point shot. She would continue to dominate the half, leading the Cascades with 10 points and five rebounds. Nicole Wierks, Chilliwack, BC, added eight points of her own. Tied with six points each were Aieisha Luyken, Mission, BC, Sarah Wierks, Chilliwack, BC, and Katie Brink, Abbotsford, BC. The Cascades shot an amazing 52 percent from the floor in the half. UFV forced nine Spartan turnovers in the half and pulled down 20 boards.
Alexa McCarthy, Chilliwack, BC gave UFV five unanswered points to start the second half. The Spartans refused to give up easy, fourth year forward Holly Strom, Calgary, AB, had 24 points on the night and along with Sarah Cleveland, Elizabeth, Colorado kept giving UFV fits as they would score timely baskets to keep the game close until the fourth quarter. The Cascades made a run in the final quarter to extend their lead to eight points close out the game and record that elusive 18th victory. Sarah Wierks was the overall Cascades leader with 16 points and 14 rebounds, Kayli Sartori had 14 points and seven rebounds, and Aieisha Luyken ended with 14 points and six rebounds. UFV shot 45 percent in the second half. The Cascades defense forced 15 Spartan turnovers on the night.
UFV 25 14 22 23 = 84 (18-4)
TWU 22 15 23 16 = 76 (7-15)
File by JM
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