Vancouver, BC – The UBC Thunderbirds women's basketball team wrapped up their preseason play this evening against the Brock Badgers falling 53-40. They finished with three wins and two losses heading into regular season action next week. Despite a nine-point lead late in the first quarter, where UBC was ahead 12-3, the Thunderbirds were unable to hold off a second quarter comeback by the Badgers who didn't look back for the remainder of the game.
University of Nebraska transfer
Harleen Sidhu led the home team putting up an impressive 18 points while collecting 17 rebounds en route to a double-double on the night.
Kris Young, the leading scorer for UBC last season and 2012-2013 Canada West Player of the Year, finished the game with eights points and five boards.
"A little disappointing to finish up the preseason with the loss," said UBC head coach
Deb Huband. "We had some players missing in the lineup that we look forward to getting back, but overall the preseason has been good for us allowing the team to get some games under our belt."
The Badgers, lead by veteran Nicole Rosenkranz, were able to overcome an early deficit to take the lead 27-20 at halftime. The Thunderbirds were unable to bridge the gap falling 53-40 as Rosenkranz collected a team-high 11 points and eight rebounds. Andrea Polischuk and Samantha De Jong also hit double digits in the scoring column collecting 10 points apiece for the Badgers who open their season against Ryerson November 1.
Coach Huband adds the team will have to be stronger on the ball and more physical come the regular season.
"As a team, we didn't attack the boards very well. Harleen was huge for us in terms of grabbing rebounds but Brock was the stronger rebounding team. We have to do a better job defensively and be more physical but we're a young team and we'll be better as the season progresses."
UBC begins the regular season on the road next Friday in what surely will be a tough test against defending CIS runner-up, the Regina Cougars. The team will close out the road trip in Brandon on Saturday.
The Thunderbirds will make their regular season debut at home the following weekend when the team plays host to Trinity Western for a weekend series on November 9-10.
