KELOWNA, B.C. – The UBC Okanagan Heat women's basketball team snapped their three-game losing skid on Saturday night as they earned a weekend split with the Trinity Western Spartans following a 73-58 victory at the UBCO Gymnasium.
Second-year forward
Tennyson McCarthy of Lake Country, B.C., led the way offensively for UBCO as she posted a career-high 17 points, shooting 7-for-11 from the floor, including a perfect 2-for-2 from three-point range, to go along with four rebounds and two blocks.
Three other members of the Heat hit double-figures in the victory, including fourth-year guard
Lauren Foullong of Orangeville, Ont., who had 12, while fifth-year forward
Kelsey Falk of Vernon, B.C., and rookie guard
Kiana Kaczur of Kamloops, B.C., each added 11.
The Heat used a strong opening 10 minutes to take control of the match, powered by McCarthy. The second-year forward scored 13 of her 17 points in the opening frame, including 12 of her team's first 14, as the Heat roared out to a 28-16 lead.
Trinity Western would respond in the second quarter, cutting the Heat's lead to as little as three, but a 5-0 run to close the half by UBCO gave them an eight-point cushion at recess.
UBCO put the game out of reach in the third quarter, powered by a 9-2 run late in the frame that was kick-started by a three-pointer from Falk, as the Heat led 59-44 after three quarters.
The home team would put on cruise control in the fourth, matching every Spartans basket to come away with the win.
The difference in the game came on the offensive glass where the Heat pulled down 20 offensive boards, including four by rookie guard
Tsuki Tsuzuki of Calgary, allowing them to attempt 13 more field goals in the contest.
"This was a good response from Friday's game," commented Heat head coach
Bobby Mitchell after the victory. "We got back to our identity and how we want to play. We played for each other tonight at both ends of the floor with purpose and intensity."
The win helps the Heat get back to .500 as the team sits at 3-3 and tied with the Victoria Vikes for third place in the Pacific division. As for the Spartans, they fall to 2-4.
UBCO will be on the road next weekend to wrap up their season series with the UNBC Timberwolves with a pair of games in Prince George. The Heat won the opening game of the three-game season series 84-64 back on November 1.
Game one of the weekend doubleheader is set for Friday, November 22 at 6 p.m. and the game can be seen live on CanadaWest.tv presented by BioSteel.
