Box Score KELOWNA, B.C. - The Trinity Western Spartans utilized a 15-5 run in the third quarter of Thursday's match against the UBC Okanagan Heat women's basketball team to top the homes side 80-65 at the Furnace.
For the third straight game, Trinity Western rode a strong shooting percentage against the Heat as they finished at 49.2 percent in the contest. The Spartans have been efficient from the floor against UBCO this season as they've shot 49.7 percent in their matchups, much improved over their 36.9 percent in conference play.
The Heat got a strong performance from third-year forward Jaeli Ibbetson, who laid in 17 points off 8-of-10 shooting from the foul line. The Kelowna, B.C., native also chipped in with six boards, four assists, and three steals.
Ibbetson's eight made free throws moves her into a tie for fifth-most all-time in a season in UBCO's history with 70. She'll need to make 17 in the final two games of the year to catch the nine-year-old record.
Kelsey Falk, of Vernon, B.C., made her return to the Heat lineup after missing three games to injury. Without Falk, a primary offensive weapon and the team's leading rebounder, the Heat had dropped three straight games. The third-year guard finished with 11 points and seven rebounds in her re-installment into UBCO's lineup.
The Spartans, who improved to 14-3 on the year, sit atop the West division. The team gave up 14 turnovers in the first half, but were able to settle things down, with just five in the second half.
Kiana Wiens, of Regina, Sask. led her team with 18 points, also dishing out five assists in the win for Trinity Western. Their leading scorer, Nicole Fransson, had just four points in the first 20 but finished strong with 16 points and 13 boards for her fourth double-double in her last five games.
Next on tap for the Heat, who move to 6-10 with the loss, is a home matchup against the UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday, February 19th at 1 p.m. The team will celebrate their lone graduating senior, Brianna Falk of Vernon, B.C., prior to tipoff. Tickets are available at the door 30 minutes before tipoff.
