CIS women's basketball Thursday roundup: Cascades down Dinos to take series lead; T-Birds over Pandas

VANCOUVER - The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women’s basketball team defeated the University of Calgary Dinos, 63-43, in the first game of the best two out of three Canada West quarterfinal series, at the Envision Athletic Centre.  The Cascades playing in their first ever Canada West home playoff game broke the school’s playoff record for margin of victory by winning tonight’s game by 20 points.  The previous mark was set last year when UFV defeated Winnipeg, by 14 points, 77-63, in Winnipeg.  UFV now leads the series 1-0 with the second game scheduled for tomorrow night at the Envision Athletic Centre.

The Dinos came out strong and opened by scoring the first seven points of the game, UFV scored its first ever home playoff points off a pair of free throws from Tessa Klassen, Winnipeg, Manitoba and went on a six point run to climb back into the game.  The Dinos would respond by going on another six point run to lead by seven points after the first quarter.  The Cascades defense kicked in starting with the second quarter and held Calgary to 24 points the rest of the way.  The offense started to click as well and the Cascades went into the intermission up by three points and a three point basket by

Aieisha Luyken, Mission, BC at the buzzer. 

The second half belonged to the home team as they held Calgary to 14 second half points and outscored their visitors by 17 points.  The Cascade defense shut down Calgary’s high powered offense and prevented the Dinos from the fast break offense that was successful for them in the first quarter.  UFV shot 37 percent from the floor in the second half and converted 11 of 12 free throws to earn their first home victory.                  

“Tonight was a real solid defensive effort, we need to play this type of defense throughout the weekend to be successful against a good offensive team like Calgary,” said UFV head coach Al Tuchscherer. 

The Cascades were led by Klassen, with a team high 13 points.  Luyken added 12 and Sarah Wierks, Chilliwack, BC 10 points.  Sarah Wierks and Courtney Bartel, Chilliwack, BC each pulled down a team high 6 rebounds, as UFV out rebounded Calgary 39 to 36 for the game.

The Dinos were led by Jenna Kaye, Sackville, NB with a game high 16 point performance.  Jessica Franz, Surrey, BC added 14 points for the record scored the first ever field goal at Envision Athletic Centre in a Canada West post season game.  Franz and Kaye led Calgary with 7 rebounds each.

The second game of the three game series goes tomorrow night at 6PM. 

Source: UFV Sports Info

VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds played perhaps their best game of the season to open Canada West playoff action on Thursday, taking game one of their best-of-three series with the Alberta Pandas 85-51 at War Memorial Gym.

Six T-Birds scored in double digits and the team shot 56 per cent from the field, while holding the Pandas to 32 per cent shooting. Sophomore shooting guard Kris Young also set a UBC record with 12 assists in the game.

UBC set the tone right off the bat, forcing Alberta turnovers on their first two possessions, and capitalizing on both opportunities with three pointers. One from Alex Vieweg and one from Kristen Hughes.

"I thought we came out very tough defensively and hot offensively. We were able to set the tone and didn't let up for 40 minutes," said UBC head coach Deb Huband. "We've been trying to put 40 minutes of good basketball together and tonight was the closest we've gotten to that."

The 'Birds went on to shoot 9-18 from behind the three point line. Vieweg was 3-3 and Hughes was 4-6. But as good as the offence was, the defence was just as important on Thursday. UBC forced 21 turnovers and outscored Alberta 28-16 in points off turnovers.

"Any time you can hit your threes its a bonus because it stretches the defence and gives your team confidence. Getting off to a hot start really helped, but so did the stops we got," Huband said. "We were able to do some things defensively that took them out of some looks. We talk about our defence being the strength and the backbone of who we are, and I think we did an exceptional job defensively tonight."

Young was heavily involved in that defensive effort, blocking one shot and grabbing three steals, but her ball distribution offensively was the real story of her night. She racked up nine assists in the first half and finished with a UBC single game record of 12.

"She sees the floor really well and she's getting some really nice looks for her teammates," Huband said of her standout second-year shooting guard. "She has really good court vision and she's willing to make the pass. She's a team player and I think she'd tell you she enjoys the assists more than the baskets."

While an impact performance from Young was hardly surprising, the T-Birds also benefited from a big game off the bench from Tori Spangehl. She posted a career-high 12 points and grabbed five rebounds in 18 quality minutes.

"She had some nice finishes around the basket and ran the floor really well," said Huband. "She adds that rare athleticism and I think the more experience she gets on the floor the more you're going to see the things she can bring to the team."

Hughes' 16 points were a game high, while Vieweg, Young, Spangehl, Zara Huntley and Leigh Stansfield all cracked double digits as well for UBC.

Nicole Clarke led the Pandas with 13 points and Sally Hillier dropped 12.

The teams get Friday off to rest up now before getting back to the grind for game two on Saturday at 3 p.m. If the Pandas can force a game three, it will go Sunday at 3 p.m. All games are at UBC's War Memorial Gym.

Source: UBC Sports Info