VANCOUVER -
Arianne Duchesne put on a sharpshooting clinic in her final regular season home game as a UBC Thunderbird to help her squad comeback to beat the Thompson Rivers WolfPack 80-71 on seniors night at War Memorial Gym.
After playing catch-up for most of the night, the T-Birds finally pulled level midway through the third quarter. But the WolfPack shooters were hot all night, keeping their team in the game with some tough shots even the 'Birds started to pull away late. The UBC lead fluctuated between five and eight points for most of the fourth quarter until Duchesne provided a dagger, nailing a deep three-pointer with 1:30 remaining to put the home side up 77-66.
"It's nice to come through the weekend with two wins even when you don't think you played your best basketball," said UBC head coach
Deb Huband. "I think Thompson Rivers played like these were their last games, and played with a lot of heart, determination and confidence, and they caused some problems for us."
Duchesne only needed six shot attempts to score 15 points for the 'Birds, as she went 4-for-5 from behind the three-point line to put an exclamation mark on seniors night. Although she is in her third year if eligibility, this will be her final year of CIS action as she will focus on her studies next year. Fifth-years
Virginia Watson and
Devan Lisson, as well as team manager Jamie Hartwell, were also recognized for their service to the T-Birds as they all prepare to move on next year.
The T-Birds will be happy to see
Alex Vieweg return for another season though. She had her second double-double of the weekend, pouring in 19 points while adding a game-high 11 rebounds.
"She's really been playing with a lot of determination," Huband said. "We've had some moments where we've really struggled and she has been one of those players that makes a difference for us when we really need it. She's just getting after every board, and you can see her heart."
The 'Pack came out on fire in the first quarter, building a 23-13 lead thanks to nine points from Jen Ju. Both sides shot the ball efficiently all night, but the turnover battle heavily favoured the WolfPack through two quarters, and they took a 39-32 lead into halftime.
The second half was all UBC though as the turnovers began to even out. Vieweg provided 11 points during the T-Birds' 13-0 run in the third quarter that gave them the lead, and three of Duchesne's four three-pointers came in the fourth quarter to help hold off a WolfPack comeback.
"That blistering first quarter they had got us on our heels a little bit, but I liked the way we battled back, held our composure and were able to turn the tables on them," said Huband.
Zara Huntley and
Lia St. Pierre finished with 12 points each for UBC. Ju led all scorers with 21 for the WolfPack. Kayla Forsyth chipped in four points and four assists in her final CIS game for the visitors.
The T-Birds move to 15-7 on the year, and could still host a playoff series depending on their results next week. They currently sit in fifth place, but with a sweep of Victoria they would move into a tie for fourth with Alberta. The winner of that tie would be determined by the teams' records against common opponents.
The WolfPack fall to 9-15 to end their season, as they will not make the postseason cut.
UBC wraps up the regular season in Victoria on February 18 and 19.
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