ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – Make it seven wins in a row for the UBC Thunderbirds (12-4), who ground out a 51-36 win over the UFV Cascades (8-9), despite posting their lowest point total of the season.
The 'Birds' defence was impenetrable in this one, as they held the Cascades to six or fewer points in both the second and fourth quarters. That kept UBC at a double-digit advantage for much of the game, despite never tallying more than 14 in a quarter themselves.
Olivia Weekes stayed scorching hot and was by far the most effective scorer on the floor. The reigning Canada West Player of the Week poured in 21 points, while no other player on either team reached double figures. Weekes added a game-high 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double in her last five games, and tacked on two steals and two blocks for good measure.
The T-Birds jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the game, as the Cascades failed to score for the first three minutes. UFV battled back however, with a three by Esther Allison just before the first quarter buzzer cutting the UBC lead to 13-11.
The two-point differential held through the first four minutes of the second frame, when the 'Birds' defence really clamped down. They held the Cascades to a single point over the last six minutes of the half, using a 9-1 run to take a 27-17 advantage into half-time.
UBC kept it going to start the second half, scoring the first six points of the third quarter. UFV didn't get on the board for the first four minutes of the second half, finally breaking a seven-minute stretch of shutout basketball by the blue and gold. A pair of free throws from
Stella LaGrange pushed the T-Birds' lead to 17 midway through the quarter, but the Cascades cut it down to an eight point edge at 39-31 ahead of the final stanza.
Weekes quickly brought the 'Birds' advantage back to double digits on the team's first possession of the fourth quarter, and they never looked back. Weekes' final layup pushed the lead to a game-high 18, before it settled at a 51-36 final.
The T-Birds' rebounding made all the difference in the win, as they posted a whopping 26-3 advantage in offensive board, leading to an 18-2 edge in second chance points.
UBC now returns to War Memorial Gym for the team's final regular season home series, taking on the UNBC Timberwolves for a Friday-Saturday back-to-back. The team will honour its large group of graduating seniors over the course of the weekend, splitting the recognitions over the two games.
Tip-off for Friday's game is at 5:30 p.m., while Saturday's starts at 4:00 p.m. (PT). Find your tickets for both games
here.
