Photo: TWU Athletics
The Cascades women’s basketball team (16-5) made winning look easy tonight against the injury-depleted TWU Spartans (5-16) in a 78-54 road victory. More specifically, fifth-year Cascade guard Aieisha Luyken made winning look easy as she exploded for 22 points in the first half, going 7-11 from field goal range and 6-6 from the line. Luyken was so good tonight that Cascades coach Al Tuchscherer didn’t play her at all in the second half, presumably worried that she might start throwing down windmill dunks.
With the victory the Cascades grab sole possession of first in the Pacific division, although the UBC Thunderbirds still have a chance to surpass the Cascades if UFV drops Saturday’s game and the Thunderbirds grab two wins over the weekend. Depending upon the outcome of this weekend, the Cascades will play a home series against the third or fourth-place team in the Prairie Division next weekend in the first round of the Canada West playoffs.
Sarah Wierks had 12 points and four offensive rebounds on the night, moving her into a tie for eighth place among all-time Canada West offensive rebound leaders. Luyken’s two treys also move her into a tie in the all-time CW standings — for seventh among three-point shooters with 167 over her five years. As a team the Cascades snatched 14 steals to help buff their conference-leading average of 12.2 steals per game, all while allowing every player on the roster at least five minutes of floor time.
“I thought the girls played well in the middle quarters and really put the game out of reach,” said Tuchscherer. “It’s nice to clinch a home playoff date. We need to now set our sights on one more win to clinch the Pacific division.”
The Cascades and Spartans will play the second half of the doubleheader at the Envision Athletic Centre on Saturday at 5 pm. Watch the game online at canadawest.tv
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