From UFV. The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women’s basketball team defeated the UNBC Timberwolves, 67-42, tonight to win their 12th Canada West regular season game of the 2012-13 campaign to tie their all-time record for wins in a Canada West regular season since joining the CIS seven years ago. UFV won 12 games in 2010-11 and 2011-12 regular seasons. The Cascades continue to hold down first place in the Pacific Division of Canada West with a 12-3 record. The Timberwolves, playing in their first Canada West regular season now sport a 6-9 record.
The game was a defensive struggle from the opening whistle to the closing. The young Timberwolves came into the Envision Athletic Centre and were not intimidated by the CIS number four ranked Cascades as they held UFV to their lowest point total in a half this season, 23 points and lowest point total in a quarter, 9. The Cascades defense was also on its game holding UNBC to 18 first half points. The half was marred by 27 turnovers, 15 by UNBC and 12 by UFV as neither team could generate any offensive consistency. Both schools shot 25 percent in the half.
Nicole Wierks, Chilliwack, BC led UFV with 6 points and Sarah Wierks, Chilliwack, BC added 5 points as they combined for half of UFV’s first half points. Jasprit Nijjar, Vancouver, BC led all Timberwolves with 5 points.
The second half belonged to the more experienced Cascades team as they broke the game open in the third quarter going on a ten point run to open up a double digit lead. Aieisha Luyken, Mission, BC held scoreless in the first half, scored three quick baskets to open the second half to give UFV some breathing room. The Cascades continued to play great defense holding UNBC in check and continuing to force numerous Timberwolves turnovers that have led to UFV points. UNBC had 27 team turnovers after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter, UFV continued to play great defense holding UNBC to 9 points and forcing 10 more turnovers, UNBC had 37 for the game. The Cascades out scored UNBC by 11down the stretch, to win that elusive 12th of the campaign. UFV shot 34 percent in the second half as they scored 44 points in the half; UNBC shot a respectable 38 percent in the half.
“Tonight was about getting some of our momentum back again. I thought defensively we were tough until the last couple of minutes, but offensively it took us until the second half to find any rhythm. We still have a ways to go, but it was a start for us. Hope tomorrow we can build on what we started tonight, commented UFV head coach Al Tuchscherer.
Sarah Wierks led UFV with 15 points and 9 rebounds tonight.
Sarah Robin, Prince Rupert, BC led the Timberwolves with 12 points. Kady Dandeneau, Pender Island, BC finished with 8 points and a team high 5 boards. Eight different Timberwolves scored in the game for Coach Loralyn Murdoch.
UNBC and UFV play again tomorrow night, game time is 5pm, at the Envision Athletic Centre.
UNBC 6 12 15 9 = 42 (6-9)
UFV 9 14 24 20 = 67 (12-3)