KELOWNA, B.C. - In their first home game of 2024, the UBC Okanagan women's basketball team entertained a School Day game crowd, routing the Thompson Rivers WolfPack 90-54 on Friday at UBCO Gymnasium.
The Heat were led by
Jaeli Ibbetson (Kelowna, B.C.) and
Sofia Ainsa Lluch (Mahon, Spain) who combined for 47 points, more than half the team's points, in the decisive victory. Ibbetson, currently third in the conference in scoring, finished with 28 points while Ainsa Lluch added 19.
An Ainsa Lluch layup, just five seconds into the match, set the tone for the game as UBCO led from wire-to-wire.
Lake Country, B.C.'s
Tennyson McCarthy also played a large role in the Heat getting ahead early with six points, eight rebounds and a block in the first half alone.
A notable part of UBCO's game was their willingness to move the ball. The team combined for 19 assists, their most since the season-opening match against Winnipeg back in November.
Heat Head Coach
Bobby Mitchell spoke on his team's ball movement, saying "We focused on ball movement this week [in practice] with the mindset of passing up a good shot for a great shot."
On his team's win in the grand scheme of the season, "This game is a step in the right direction. Our focus for the final push of the season is to be playing consistent basketball on both ends."
Leading the scoring for the 'Pack were Kate De La Mare (St. Albert, Alta.) and Danijela Kovacevic (Nova Pazova, Serbia) with 10 points apiece.
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PRESIDENTS' CUP UPDATE
The win is a crucial point as the Heat women chase their third consecutive cup, now standing at 3-0 this season against TRU. UBCO women's volleyball can clinch the trophy with a win tonight, or failing that, the Heat will have two more chances on Saturday.
TOP PERFORMERS
Jaeli Ibbetson - UBCO Heat
The 2022-23 Canada West Second Team All-Star recorded her fourth 20-plus point game of the year with a season-best 28 points. The senior knocked down 11-of-15 field goals while grabbing nine rebounds and dishing out three assists.
Sofia Ainsa Lluch - UBCO Heat
The Spanish guard set season-highs in points, with 19, and assists, with nine, in her team's win. Lluch continued to build her legacy as one of the best facilitators in program history, with her fourth career outing of nine assists or more, a number which has only been reached once, outside of Lluch, in 12-seasons of Canada West play (Vanessa Botteselle - January 25, 2019).
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WHERE THEY SIT
The victory marks UBCO's fourth straight over Thompson Rivers, three of which are by 30-plus point margins. UBCO now stands at 6-7 on the year, 10th in Canada West. TRU drops their seventh straight decision, moving to 2-9, sitting 14th in the conference.
UP NEXT
The two rivals will face each other for the final time this season tomorrow at 3 p.m. from the UBCO Gymnasium. Tickets are available at the door on game day.
