VICTORIA, B.C. – The UBC Okanagan Heat women's basketball team battled some of the best teams in Canada this weekend as they competed in the Victoria Vikes preseason tournament on Vancouver Island.
 
UBCO opened the three-day tournament against the Alberta Pandas, the reigning Canada West Champions and U SPORTS bronze medalists, and came out on the losing end of a 69-50 score line.
 
After a close opening frame, the Pandas showed their quality in the second quarter to blow the game open and ultimately cruise to the victory.
 
Fourth-year forward Jaeli Ibbetson of Kelowna, B.C., led all Heat scorers with 18 points to go along with 13 rebounds while Lauren Foullong of Kelowna, B.C., added nine points.
 
Next on the docket for UBCO was the reining OUA and U SPORTS Champions, the Carleton Ravens, on Saturday.
 
The Heat took the lessons they learned from the Pandas matchup and battled hard all game with the Ravens, keeping the game close up to the final buzzer, falling 85-79.
 
Four Heat scored in double figures, led by Ibbetson's team-high 19 points while Kelsey Falk of Vernon, B.C., added 18 points, Sofia Ainsa Lluch of Mahon, Spain, poured in 15 points and Aiko Williams of North Vancouver, B.C., chipped in with 12 off the bench.
 
UBCO wrapped up the tournament on Sunday afternoon against the host Victoria Vikes.
 
In another close game, the Heat found themselves within three points of the Vikes late in the contest but ultimately came up short 83-78.
 
Ibbetson posted her second double-double of the weekend with 22 points and 12 rebounds while Ainsa Lluch pitched in with 11 points, six assists and five rebounds.
 
The Heat will close out their preseason schedule this upcoming weekend when they travel to Calgary for a pair of games against the Dalhousie Tigers on Friday, October 20 and the Mount Royal Cougars on Saturday, October 21.