SASKATOON, Sask. - The UBC Okanagan Heat women's basketball team were knocked out of the Canada West playoffs on Friday evening, suffering a 65-52 defeat at the hands of the UBC Thunderbirds from the Physical Activity Complex.

The T-Bird's win moves them to the second round where they will face the U SPORTS No. 2-ranked Saskatchewan Huskies tomorrow afternoon, while the Heat's season comes to an end.

Heat guard Kelsey Falk, from Vernon, B.C., led the Heat out of the gates with 10 first-quarter points, but a frustrating second quarter saw UBCO battling from behind heading into the second half.

A 9-0 Heat run to open the third saw them grab their lone lead of the second half. However, the 'Birds dug their heels in from that point on, en route to their 13-point victory.

UBC outscored UBCO 25-6 off turnovers, while the Birds' starters were outscored by their bench 43-22.

Heat Head Coach Bobby Mitchell spoke after the loss, saying "obviously not the result we were hoping for, but I liked our compete throughout the game."

TOP PERFORMERS
Kelsey Falk - UBCO
In her second career playoff outing, the third-year guard scored a team-high 16 points while shooting 8-of-14 from the foul line. She added seven rebounds and a pair of blocks in the loss.

Mona Berlitz - UBC
The rookie forward played picked a great night to play her best game with a career-best 23 points. Averaging just nine points per game this season, the Schrobenhausen, Germany import outscored all five T-Bird starters in just 18 minutes on the court.

LOOKING FORWARD
With their eyes on next season, the Heat will be building off the program-tying record 10 wins, three wins over U SPORTS Top 10 opponents and will be expecting all five of their starters to be returning next season.