The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women’s basketball team defeated the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack, 80-57, tonight at the Envision Athletic Centre. The Cascades improve their Canada West regular season record to 16-4 and a share of first place in the Pacific Division with the UBC Thunderbirds. Thompson Rivers falls to 15-6, good for fourth place in the division.
The Cascades came out strong tonight and ended TRU’s three game regular season winning streak against them, with a quality performance. UFV led from the opening whistle to closing as they started the game with a 10-0 run and never looked back. The Cascades led by 11 points after the first quarter and doubled that lead in the second by shooting 58 percent for the half. Led by Aieisha Luyken, Mission, BC and Sarah Wierks, Chilliwack, BC each with 12 points. UFV forced 10 TRU turnovers, recorded 7 steals and out rebounded TRU by 19 to 13. Just a complete first half to show they can rebound from last night’s 2-point overtime loss.
Tracy Kocs, Coquitlam, BC and Taiysa Worsfold, Kamloops, BC each scored 6 points in the half for TRU. The WolfPack shot 21 percent in the half.
The second half was even as both teams shot in the 35 percent range from the floor. TRU kept trying to make a dent in the 22 point deficit and UFV would not budge, the Cascades defense was brilliant tonight holding TRU’s top players Jen Ju, Vancouver, BC and Diane Schuetze, Vernon, BC to minimal shots pulling down key rebounds to not give TRU second opportunities on offense. The Cascades forced another 8 TRU turnovers and out rebounded the WolfPack by 20 boards in the second half. The Cascades would also steal 6 more passes in the half that directly led to 12 points.
The Cascades were led by Sarah Wierks with a game high 20 point performance. Wierks also pulled down 16 boards and recorded 2 steals and 1 assist. Luyken added 18 points and 6 assists, Kayli Sartori, Chilliwack, BC chipped in with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Nine different Cascades scored at least 2 points in tonight’s victory over TRU.
Ju would go onto to lead TRU with 13 points, Kocs added 11 and Schuetze would round out the WolfPack in double figures with 10.
The win tonight gives the UFV women’s basketball program a new regular season record of 16 victories in a single Canada West season. The Cascades have two more regular season games next weekend against the TWU Spartans.