VANCOUVER – What started out as an ugly game for UBC became a commanding 64-54 victory over the UVIC Vikes.
Kris Young (North Vancouver, BC) and
Leigh Stansfield (Victoria, BC) took control of the game and together they combined for 41 points. UBC's seventh win in a row was a significant one because it also means that they have taken control of home court advantage for the first round of the playoffs, which begin next Friday.
BOX SCORE
“We shifted our mindset in the second quarter,” said head coach
Deb Huband. “We said let's take control of this game, let's take control of the tempo, take control of the rebounds. Let's assert ourselves and believe that we can do this and let's get it done. I think some of our players stepped up for us. Kris obviously played really well, it was great to see.”
Young brought her A-game tonight, finishing with a game-high 22 points, the most she's had since December 1
st against Lethbridge. Stansfield added 19 along with 11 rebounds. Jessica Renfrew (Victoria, BC) and Debbie Yeboah (Winnipeg, MB) each had a team-high 17 for the Vikes. Renfrew was on fire in the opening quarter, sinking four baskets and racking up 10 points, but the Thunderbirds found a way to contain her better for the rest of the game.
After committing 11 turnovers in a scrappy first quarter, the Thunderbirds managed just eight points and were down by as many as 12 before they stormed back in the second.
“I think we were just a little bit tense and I think that we didn't really give ourselves a chance in the first quarter. We scrambled and it was like we felt that we would struggle, so we did struggle,” said Huband.
Playing with a sense of urgency and a renewed focus, UBC outscored Victoria 19-9 in the second frame. They took their first lead of the night when
Adrienne Parkin banked a shot off the backboard with 20 seconds left in the half. It was 27-26 UBC at halftime, and from then on that lead continued to grow.
The second half became the Young and Stansfield show as they scored 27 of UBC's 37 points, just one shy of what the Vikes had as a team. The 'Birds were up 45-37 after three quarters, and then built a comfortable 16 point lead before taking their starters out in the final two minutes.
Victoria Spangehl (White Rock, BC) had another big rebounding night with 11 boards, and
Adrienne Parkin (Vancouver, BC) converted a three-point play with 2:18 left on the clock to finish with 10 points, seven boards, and four blocks on the night.
UBC now sits at 17-4 this season, while UVIC drops to 15-6. The two teams both rushed out after the game to catch a ferry over to Victoria, where they'll have a rematch tomorrow night to close out the regular season.
It's on to the playoffs next weekend, and while matchups are still unknown, Huband said that having home court advantage is a great benefit.
“In theory we're also getting a lower seed from the other side, but you know nothing's easy in the post-season. You have to earn it. It's like a second season, starting anew. It's really nice to know that we're at home and we don't have to travel next weekend.”
Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. tomorrow night at Victoria's McKinnon Gymnasium. For fans who can't make the trip across to the island, live video and stats can be found at
www.canadawest.tv.
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