KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Led by an outstanding debut from rookie guard
Tsuki Tsuzuki, the UBC Okanagan Heat women's basketball team rolled past the Thompson Rivers WolfPack in their regular season opener on Thursday night, posting a 71-47 victory on the road.
Tsuzuki, a native of Calgary, was outstanding in her first Canada West game for the Heat, dropping 17 points in just 24 minutes on the court. The first-year guard shot 7-for-13 from the field, including 3-for-5 from three-point range, to lead all scorers.
She also added four steals, three assists and two rebounds.
Three other members of the Heat also finished in double-figures in scoring, including third-year forward
Lily Pink of Kelowna, B.C. The transfer, who was also playing in her first game with UBCO after sitting out a season, finished a rebound shy of a double-double, dropping 14 points to go along with nine rebounds.
Second-year guard
Temi Aina of Kamloops, B.C., added 12 points, seven rebounds and four steals off the bench while fourth-year guard
Lauren Foullong of Orangeville, Ont., added 10 points.
Sydney Vollrath of St. Albert, Alta., led the way for the hosts with 16 points and five rebounds.
After the two teams traded baskets early in the match, the Heat used an 11-0 run to close the first quarter to open up a comfortable lead on the WolfPack, sparked by a pair of three pointers from Foullong and Pink.
UBCO turned up their offensive efficiency in the second as they poured in 25 points, including seven from Szuzki, highlighted by a bucket just before the buzzer to give the Heat a 20-point cushion at the half.
The Heat would continue to roll in the second half as the WolfPack never got closer than 18 points as UBCO won their season opener for the second consecutive year.
With the win,
UBCO now has a 3-0-0 advantage for TRU in the race for the women's Presidents' Cup trophy. The Heat women's volleyball team will have the chance to win the trophy for the Heat for the fourth consecutive year on Friday night when the two interior rivals square off in Kamloops.
Up next for women's basketball will be their home opener on Friday, November 1 as they get set to take on the UNBC Timberwolves. Game time is set for 5 p.m. at the UBCO Gymnasium and tickets to the game can be purchased at the door.
