Emily Martindale
64
Winner Fraser Valley Cascades (W) UFV 11-2
56
UBC Thunderbirds (W) UBC 5-10
Winner
Fraser Valley Cascades (W) UFV
11-2
64
Final
56
UBC Thunderbirds (W) UBC
5-10
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Fraser Valley Cascades (W) UFV 15 9 20 20 64
UBC Thunderbirds (W) UBC 20 18 12 6 56

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Aneesa Heatherington (UBC Communications)

T-Birds fall to Cascades despite strong start

The UBC Thunderbirds (5-10) came up short in a 64-56 loss to the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades (11-2) at War Memorial Gym, despite an impressive first half on both ends of the court. UBC lost veteran guard Hailey Counsell to injury midway through the second quarter, and the Cascades overcame a 14-point halftime deficit with a crucial 13-point third quarter by Deanna Tuchscherer to secure the victory.
 
"I thought we came out and played aggressive defense in the first half," said UBC head coach Erin McAleenan. "We were super sharp with our switching that allows us to get seals and get going offensively in transition. Of course, losing Hailey, our leading scorer and a starter, changes things, but we haven't been great in third quarters over the last few games. We came out of halftime a little bit too slow and when we struggled to score, we changed the type of shots we were taking. We got away from the really good team basketball that got us the scores early. At the end of the day, Deanna Tuscherer and Maddy Gobeil are great players, and they were a little bit more disciplined than we were. Our shot selection wasn't great, and we gave up too many easy buckets in the third and fourth quarters."
 
Madison Legault led the T-Birds with 12 points, Emily Martindale had 10 points and eight rebounds, and Dina Strujic went 3-for-4 from three for nine points to go along with six boards.
 
Deanna Tuchscherer finished with a team-high 19 points and nine rebounds, while Maddy Gobeil put up 13 points with eight rebounds in the win.
 
 
Kate Johnson found Counsell off the tip for a quick two to start the first and Strujic hit a three to tie it up at 11-11 midway through the quarter. Sara Toneguzzi gave the 'Birds a lead with her first triple and Azalya Forstbauer scored two free throws for a 16-11 edge, before Deanna Tuchscherer brought the Cascades back within a bucket. Martindale hit two late free throws to put the T-Birds up 20-15 heading into the second quarter, as UFV recorded eight turnovers in the frame.
 
Martindale drained a midrange jumper to open the second and Counsell extended the UBC lead to nine points with a layup. Maddy Gobeil put an end to the T-Birds' run with a pair of free throws, but Strujic answered with her second triple at 29-17 before Counsell was injured on a hard foul and was helped off the court. UBC came out strong after the injury timeout – with Johnson knocking down a long two and Katie Hartman nailing a three for a 36-22 cushion. The 'Birds allowed just nine points in the quarter and held a 38-24 at halftime.

Hailey Counsell
 
Johnson earned a steal and a basket early in the third, but Deanna Tuchscherer responded with an and one for three of her 13 points in the quarter. Victoria Jacobse cut the UFV deficit to 11 with two free throws and Deanna Tuchscherer scored her first triple on the next possession at 44-36 UBC. The two teams traded threes on the final three possessions of the quarter, as the 'Birds carried a 50-44 lead into the final quarter.
 
The Cascades continued to push early in the fourth and went on a 10-0 run – including a pair of Nikki Cabuco threes – for a 54-50 lead. Hartman stopped the UFV run with a smooth finish in the paint, but Gobeil hit another three for a 59-52 advantage with just under four minutes remaining and the Cascades maintained their lead through to the 64-56 victory.

Madison Legault
 
UBC will look to bounce back on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. (PT) when they host the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack (1-16) in their final home game of the season.
 
"Tomorrow is a big night for our seniors in their last home game," said McAleenan. "The rest of the team typically plays harder with a bit more heart on Senior Night, and we already play like that, so I know we'll come out strong and play hard for them tomorrow. Our game plan is changing a little bit, so we have to make sure we're dialled in and ready to go against TRU – while also playing hard for those three seniors who have given so much to the program over the last five years."
 
Tickets are available online, with the action also streaming live on Canada West TV.  
 

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