VANCOUVER – In their first exhibition game of the 2016-17 season the UBC Thunderbirds dropped a hard fought 72-47 decision to the Wisconsin Badgers. The NCAA's Badgers are on a three game tour of Metro Vancouver, which will see them play UVIC, UBC, and the University of the Fraser Valley.
UBC started the game strong by jumping out to an early 8-0 lead in the first quarter as Wisconsin looked road weary after the 3000 kilometre journey from Madison and the Sunday night game in Victoria. Once they woke up they used their size and strong perimeter shooting to take the game away from the Thunderbirds.
Despite the 72-47 final, UBC Head Coach
Deb Huband has a lot to look forward to this season. Forward
Kara Spotton (Fort Collins, Col.) had very little summertime rust on her shot, nailing 7 of her 14 field goal attempts for 14 points. UBC rookie
Maddison Penn (North Lyneham, Australia), who's last North American game action was with Virginia Tech of the NCAA, was aggressive in the paint on both ends of the floor. Penn finished with 6 points and 7 rebounds. Huband will dress six rookies this season so a learning curve is expected with UBC in the early going this season.
"It was great to get out on the floor with everyone together against a really strong team like that," said Huband. "There is lots of potential there."
One of the players who saw her first Thunderbird action was
Marcie Schlick (Prince George, BC). The 6'4" centre was overjoyed to get her first game in the 'Blue and Gold' in the books.
"It was amazing, it felt really good," said Schlick. "It's a lot different than high school basketball already. The girls are much bigger and more physical. But it was awesome and I'm really excited to be here in Vancouver and playing for the Thunderbirds."
Avyanna Young and Kendall Shaw, who scored 14 and 12 points respectively, paced Wisconsin. UBC plays again Thursday night at 5 PM against another travelling NCAA team, the Florida Atlantic Owls.
Badger Fans in Vancouver
"The skyline is beautiful. We just love it all," said Noticias 62 news anchor and reporter Hilda Gutierrez when asked about UBC. Noticias 62 is one of the largest speaking Spanish newscasts in Los Angeles.
Gutierrez was taking in the game with her boyfriend, Wisconsin football alumni David Gilreath and David's brother Davente. Gilreath went on to play in the NFL and spent some time on the Seattle Seahawks roster. He still holds the Badger record for most return yards in a season and a game.
"Oh man, Vancouver has a lot to offer," said David Gilreath. 'We've been to suspension bridges, water parks, the Olympic Village. We've been all over."
David and Davente's younger sister Suzanne plays for the Badgers. She dropped 11 points on the Thunderbirds.
