VANCOUVER - Playing their second game in three nights the UBC Thunderbirds dropped a hard fought 80-68 decision to the Florida Atlantic Owls. The FAU Owls, who usually play in the NCAA's Conference USA, entered the game with a reputation as one the slickest shooting three-point teams in US women's basketball. Although UBC did a good job of contesting shots from the Owls' sharp-shooters, Florida Atlantic used a strong transition offence to outgun the 'Birds before the fans at War Memorial Gym.


 
UBC Head Coach Deb Huband will use six first-year Thunderbirds on her roster this season and she had to be very impressed by one of those players, Maddison Penn. The versatile Australian guard/forward looked like she had picked up a step from her UBC debut Tuesday against the Wisconsin Badgers. Penn put up the first double-double of her Thunderbird career with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Fourth-year guard Shilpa Kanna was the high scorer for UBC with 14 points, including 4 of 6 makes from beyond the three-point arc.


 
Lightning quick guard Malia Kencey knocked down 20 points to go along with 3 assists in leading the way for Florida Atlantic. Owl forward Raven Doyle was a force down low, knocking down 17 points and grabbing 8 boards.


 
The game was somewhat of a homecoming for FAU freshman guard Jacey Bailey. The Burnaby, BC native played her first game in an Owl uniform half an hour down the road from where she grew up.
 
The game concluded UBC's mid-summer training camp. The Thunderbirds' next action is August 26th when Japan's national women's team visits War Memorial Gym.