VANCOUVER - Kim Tulloch scored 24 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists as the visiting Saskatchewan Huskies earned a hard fought 73-65 win over the UBC Thunderbirds in both teams 2010-11 Canada West season opener.
In match-up of two of the top teams in the conference, the Huskies managed to build towards the win by out scoring UBC by a bucket or less in each of the four quarters.
UBC head coach
Deb Huband was pleased with her team's performance in light of their disappointing 49-38 loss to Lethrbidge last weekend in their final exhibition game.
"That was much improved from a week ago. I thought we looked sharp but that was a game of surges. The score would open a bit then it would close back up. We made a few errors that they punished us for," said Huband.
Tulloch, the Huskies top returning scorer, proved she has what it takes to lead the reigning CIS bronze medalist, going 9-of-12 from the field including 4-of-5 from downtown in an impressive offensive performance.
Zara Huntley had a solid game for the T-Birds with 21 points and eight boards, however, no other T-Bird cracked double figures.
Huntley pulled the T-Birds within two at 7:41 of the fourth quarter but Tulloch immediately responded with a three to stake Saskatchewan to a 62-55 lead with 7:29 left.
UBC made it a five point deficit following a pair of free throws from Huntley, she was 9-of-11 from the line, but a Tulloch three-pointer restored Saskatchewan's eight point advantage with 4:35 to go.
The Huskies eventually extended their lead to 11 en route to the eight point win. SFU transfer Kaite Miyazaki and Jill Humbert provided the secondary scoring punch for Saskatchewan with 16 points apiece.
Alex Vieweg finished with nine points and eight rebounds for the 'Birds while 2009-10 all-star
Lia St. Pierre had a quiet night with only six points.
"We'd like to see those two put more points on the board. Zara didn't take a lot of shots but she got herself to the line. We only had one player in double figures but we'd like to see three or four get there on any given night."
Second-year guard
Chloee St. Amour almost got there for the T-Birds, scoring eight points after earning her first career start.
A lay-up from St. Amour followed by an assist on a Huntley bucket gave UBC an early 4-2 lead but the Huskies responded and eventually led 17-10 with three minutes to play in the first quarter.
UBC proceeded to go on a 12-2 run to regain the lead early in the second quarter and led for most of the frame until the Huskies put together their own 14-6 run to close the half with a 39-35 lead.
The third quarter saw more of the same back and forth action, however, this time the Huskies never allowed UBC all the way back as they held onto the lead for the rest of the contest.
Both teams will be on the floor at War Memorial Gym again tomorrow night. That game will be highlighted by UBC's "Shoot for the Cure" fundraising initiative with funds being raised in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Tip-off is at 6:00 p.m.
-30-
