Shayna Litman
The UFV Cascades women’s basketball team (12-4) managed another win tonight at the Envision Athletic Center (65-52), despite a splash of sloppy play and a tenacious UBCO Heat (3-13) effort. Even with the win, the Cascades are still only two points ahead of UBC and UVic in the Pacific division, while the Heat remain tied with TWU for seventh.
Tossing aside all expectations set in last night’s game, UBCO came out swinging and jumped to a 15-7 lead in the first quarter. The Heat were running plays and hitting shots, while the Cascades missed layups and gave up easy looks on defense. While UFV found some composure in the second with an early eight point run and a 19-7 quarter domination, UBCO had already prevented the Cascades from recreating Friday night and running away with the game. Also unlike last night, the Heat managed to get their main scorers, Emily Kanester and Sarah Allison involved, and consequently only trailed 26-22 at halftime.
The Cascades compensated for their early shooting woes by clawing down 39 rebounds on the night compared to the Heat’s 21. While a 24 point third quarter from UFV ended UBCO’s chance at an easy comeback, the Heat scored more than 10 points in three of the game’s four quarters after being unable to manage that feat at all last night.
Sarah Wierks had 16 points, ten rebounds, and three steals for the Cascades, who also received important contributions from Aieisha Luyken (12 points), and Shayna Litman (13 points in 12 minutes). The Heat were led by Jessica Jazdarehee, who kept UBCO in the game with a breakout 15 point performance.
“Not our best night tonight. I thought our approach was sloppy and that continued for most of the game,” said UFV head coach Al Tuchscherer. “UBCO played with a lot of desire tonight and we really didn’t execute our game plan at all. I think we were fortunate to leave the game with the win. We will have to be much better moving forward.”
The Cascade will play again at 6 pm on Jan 31 against the University of Regina Cougars at the EAC. The Heat will defend their home court next Friday against the University of Winnipeg Wesmen.
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