By David Kent. The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) Cascades, nationally ranked 4th in the CIS top ten poll, opened the 2013-14 Canada West regular season campaign with a 38 point victory over the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns, 70-32, at the Envision Athletic Centre.
The Cascades found themselves in a tight opening quarter with the Pronghorns matching the Cascades basket for basket, UFV led by one point after the first quarter ended. In the second, UFV went to work playing great defense holding Lethbridge to a mere seven points in the quarter , while opening up a nine point lead at the break. UFV shot 38 percent from the floor in the half and were led by Aieisha Luyken, Mission, BC with 12 points as seven different Cascades scored at least two points in the half. Mariah Miller, Lethbridge, Alberta led all Pronghorns with 8 points, as Lethbridge shot 45 percent from the floor.
In the second half, UFV showed why they are contenders for the Canada West championship as they held Lethbridge to nine points in the entire half. UFV was resilient on defense creating 20 second half Pronghorn turnovers and recording 10 steals to outscore Lethbridge by a 38-9 count. UFV shot an amazing 47 percent in the half and were led by Kaylie Sartori, Chilliwack, BC with a team high 15 point performance. Luyken finished with 12 points as four different Cascades were in double figures and 11 different players scored in the victory over Lethbridge. Sartori also pulled down 8 boards as UFV out rebounded the Pronghorns 36 to 27.
The Cascades finished the evening with 12 steals as they forced 29 Lethbridge turnovers an outstanding defensive display.
The Pronghorns were led by Kim Veldman, Lethbridge, Alberta with 9 points. Lethbridge shot 13 percent in the second half.
“Nice start tonight. Thought we really showcased some of our depth tonight and we had 12 players contribute to the win. Defensively we got a lot more serious after the first quarter and it was exciting to see the potential of that. A lot of work to do to compete against Calgary tomorrow,” said UFV head coach Al Tuchscherer.
The Cascades host the University of Calgary Dinos on Saturday night, at 5pm, at EAC. Calgary sports an 0-1 record after falling to TWU Spartans, 66-58, in Langley tonight.
ULeth 16 7 5 4 = 32
UFV 17 15 17 21 = 70