VANCOUVER - The No. 9 UBC Thunderbirds used a strong defensive performance to clinch a 55-48 victory over the host Calgary Dinos in the opening game for both teams at the Ranger Inspection Holiday Hoops women's basketball tournament on Friday.
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“We earned this win on the back of our improved team and individual defence,” said UBC head coach
Deb Huband. “It was nice to see after focusing on our defence over the December break. We struggled a bit offensively which is not surprising with the first game after the break. Calgary threw a lot of different defences at us so it provided a great learning experience.”
UBC held Calgary to just 32.3 percent shooting (21 for 65) and out-rebounded the Dinos 38-33.
The visitors took a 13-10 lead into the first quarter break and added to their lead with a 17-5 run to end the half, capped off by a three-point basket by
Kris Young (North Vancouver, BC).
UBC went into halftime ahead 32-19.
Young led all players with 17 points in the game, while
Leigh Stansfield (Victoria, BC) had 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The Thunderbirds gave up just nine points for the second straight quarter as they built their advantage to 45-28 at the end of the third.
With a strong final quarter, Calgary closed to within six points on three occasions.
UBC will play its second game at the Holiday Hoops tournament on Saturday with a 2 p.m. Pacific matchup against Lethbridge. The Pronghorns lost 83-81 to the McMaster Marauders in the tournament's other game on Friday.
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