Six threes on KidSport night not enough offence for UBCO as the Heat fall (65-50) to UFV. With the win the Cascades move one game closer to the Heat in the standings. Rematch tomorrow at 5 p.m.
Friday, February 5th, 2016
UBC Okanagan, Kelowna, BC
FINAL 1 2 3 4 T UFV (8-7) 20 17 15 13 65 UBC Okanagan (10-5) 12 13 16 9 50
KELOWNA, BC– The UBC Okanagan women’s basketball team lost to the visiting University of Fraser Valley (50-65) on Friday night in Kelowna. The Heat will have the opportunity tomorrow night at 5 p.m. to attempt to split the weekend series against the Cascades.
With the win, the Cascades are now (8-7) and just two games behind UBC Okanagan, who fall to (10-5), for third place in the Explorer division. Both teams trail Thompson Rivers and MacEwan who are tied at (12-3) and in first place.
With only the top three teams making the postseason, Saturday’s rematch in Kelowna is a must see event on canadawest.tv.
UFV established an eight-point lead in the first quarter, and despite the efforts made by UBC Okanagan, the Cascades maintained their lead for the remainder of the game. UBC Okanagan, overall, struggled with their field goal shooting percentage (26.5%; 18/68); it was their lack of finish that made the early UFV lead insurmountable.
The Cascades had no trouble shooting on the road making 40-percent of their shots (24/60).
When questioned in the post-game interview if UFV’s physical play was a contributing factor to their shooting percentage, UBC Okanagan head coach, Claire Meadows stated, “No, it wasn’t UFV’s play. We were settling for the three point shots too often, and our focus is on better shot selection; getting into the paint instead.” Meadows added, “Rebounding is a focus of ours – that remains a focus. UFV [does] have big bodies, we have to be equally as physical, or more so, going into tomorrows game.”
In the Friday night game the Heat were out rebounded by the visiting Cascades (50-38). UBCO had a slight edge on the offensive glass hauling in one more rebound (14-13) and outscoring UFV (7-4) on second chance points.
Both squads came out of the gate gun-slinging, hitting five threes in the first quarter, all by different players. Half of UFV’s shots were from long range and they converted 3-8 from three. The Heat went (2-5) from the three point selection, and made just three two-point field goals, shooting (3-9) from inside the arc. The Cascades went (5-8) from inside the arc. The visitors won the first quarter (20-12).
UFV’s Syd Williams hit three treys, and scored nine of the Cascades 17 points. 4th year teammate Kayli Sartori dominated the rebounding, and chipped in with an assist and four points. UFV’s lead extended, bringing the score to (37-25) at the half. UBCO’s shooting deteriorated in the second as they were just (5-16), 31.3% from the field and (1-6) from the three point range.
UBC Okanagan was able to win the third quarter, as Emily Kanester scored 10 of her game high 18 points in the segment after the half. Even with the fourth year guard’s heroics, the Heat only shaved off one point from the Cascade lead and trailed (52-41) after 30 minutes of play.
A sloppy fourth quarter for both teams resulted, as the Heat attempted to cut in to the lead. The final score fell in favour of the visitors (65-50).
UBC Okanagan was lead by Emily Kanester who logged 37 minutes and 18 points. Shenelle Tamminen chipped in seven points, and both Robyn Aulin-Haynes and Vanessa Botteselle added six points each.
UFV was led by both Sydney Williams and Kayli Sartori with 15 points each, and Katie Brink, who chipped in 12. All of Williams points were from the three point range (5-10). Sartori completed her double-double by adding 13 rebounds to her 15 points. Freshmen Taylor Claggett grabbed four offensive rebounds and 10 in total, but her seven points left her shy of a double-double.
HEAT NOTES: The Heat started off Friday night with Emily Kanester winning the ceremonial Kidsport tip off, with a noted demonstration of great sportsmanship from the Cascades. Tonight was KidSport night and the UBC Okanagan athletic department donated $50 for every made three. UBCO hit six threes for $300 to go towards KidSport.
~ Emiko Ohama, Heat Sports Information