FINAL GAME OF CW REGULAR SEASON

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL (CANADAWEST)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
TRINITY WESTERN HOSTS FRASER VALLEY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FINAL GAME OF THE CANADA WEST SEASON

LANGLEY, British Columbia-With a potential play-off spot on the line the Trinity Western Spartans will host the UFV Cascades to conclude the Canada West season. The two teams met two weeks ago at the AESC with TW winning 71-59. Follow live stats at Canadawest.TV. You can also follow the Spartans on Twitter @TWUSpartans or on YouTube at SpartansSID.

Trinity Western (8-9)
Last Weekend: TRU 66-61 L, 76-58 L
2011-2012 CIS Rank: N/A
2010-2011 CW Record: 3-21, 12th
2010-2011 CW Tournament: N/A
2010-2011 CIS Tournament: N/A

The Spartan women’s basketball team still has a chance to qualify for the posteason, but their hopes ride on this, their final regular season game of the year.

The Spartans have proven that they have the ability to compete with the well placed teams in the conference, but faltered last week against the Thompson Rivers WolfPack.

Last weekend the Spartans returned to their home court after a long string of away games. Their opponent was a Thompson Rivers team that has been struggling this season. In game one the Spartans stayed within striking distance of the Wolf-Pack, but were overcome in a Thompson Rivers dominated third quarter.

At the end of the half, the Spartans were within one point of the WolfPack in the 35-34 game. But in the third quarter the Spartans stumbled, giving the WolfPack a chance to gain a 55-45 lead.

The Spartans chased the WolfPack in the last quarter, but despite cutting the lead to five points, Trinity Western ultimately fell in the 66-61 game.

Tiffany led the Spartans in the losing effort, earning a game-high 19 points and 11 rebounds. On the following night, the Spartans and WolfPack matched points early in the game. By the first break, the two teams were all tied up at 17-17. In the second quarter the two teams exchanged points, but the advantage went to the WolfPack. By the half, Thompson Rivers pulled away and gained a 43-31 lead.

After the break, the Spartans were never able to recover. The WolfPack took control of the game and ran away with a 76-58 win. This time it was Holly Strom who led the Spartans with 18 points in the game.

Fraser Valley (11-6)
Last Weekend: UBC 65-57 W, 60-58 L
2011-2012 CIS Rank: N/A
2010-2011 CW Record: 12-12
2010-2011 CW Tournament: 2-2
2010-2011 CIS Tournament: N/A

The Cascades will challenge the Spartans for the second time this season, this time back in the Spartan home gym. UFV has been one of the best teams in the Pacific division this year, gaining second place in the division and clinching their playoff spot.

Last weekend the Cascades took on the No. 3 UBC Thunderbirds in a pair of games at home. The first quarter of the first game saw a back and forth type of game, culminating in an 18-18 tie after ten minutes. The two teams were well matched, and continued to keep things close during the second quarter. The Thunderbirds gained a slim advantage by the end of the half, leading the Cascades 39-35 going into the break.

The second half remained tight until the fourth quarter. In the last ten minutes the Cascades outscored the Thunderbids 19-9 to take the lead for good. The game ended at 65-57 in favour of Fraser Valley. Aieisha Luyken posted a game-high 17 points for the Cascades, while Sarah Wierks led the team with eight rebounds.

The rematch started off in favour of the Thunderbirds, as the UBC team outscored their Fraser Valley opponents 33-24 in the first half. The Cascades started their comeback in the third quarter, when they were able to return to within two points of the favoured Thunderbirds.

The last period was an exciting one for fans, as the two teams exchanged leads and the game remained extremely close. But in the end it was the Thunderbirds who managed to take the game with a 60-58 margin. Luyken once against led the team in points, netting 15. Kayli Sartori was the Cascades top rebounder, as she managed to grab eight defensive rebounds in the losing effort.