By Larry Read

TRU Sports Information

KAMLOOPS, BC---The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack bent but didn't break as they survived a tough second half comeback by the visiting MacEwan Univeristy Griffins in Canada West womens basketball on Saturday night (Oct 28).

In their last game before Halloween, the WolfPack were 'scared' by the pesky Griffins but held on to beat them for the second straight night. The score on the Warner Rentals Court at the Tournament Capital Centre was 65-61.

The WolfPack open the season with back to back victories.  MacEwan is winless in two  to start the regular campaign.

 SYNOPSIS

After being down by seven at the half (32-25), the Griffins mounted a comeback and took the lead 52-51 with three minutes left in the contest.  The score seesawed before Emma Piggin got an offensive rebound and drained it in the paint to give TRU a 63-61 lead. With 0:08 seconds left, Shenise Sigsworth of the WolfPack pulled off a block on the Griffins last drive.

TRU was led by "McDonalds/TRU Bookstore" Leader of the Pack player of the game Leilani Carney and  Michelle Bos with 15 points a piece.   MacEwan's top sniper was Mackenzie Farmer with 13 points. Paige Knull and Kayla Ivicak chipped in with 12 each.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:

click here

KEY STATS:

Thompson Rivers :

Michelle Bos (4^th year, guard, Surrey, BC): 15 points 8 rebounds (6 def) in 32 mins

Leilani Carney (3^rd year, guard, Burnaby,BC): 15 points 3 rebounds in 29 mins

Jordon Haggerty (1^st year, guard, Saskatoon, SK): 9 points  3 rebounds (all def) in 15 mins

Shenise Sigsworth (5^th year, forward, Kamloops, BC): 8 points, 2 rebounds 1 steal in 30 mins

MacEwan:

Mackenzie Farmer  (1^st year, guard, Sherwood Park, AB): 13 points, 2 rebounds (all off) in 22 mins

Kayla Ivicak (4^th year, guard, St. Albert,AB):12 points  11 rebounds (9 def) in 34 mins

Paige Knull (5^th year, guard, St. Albert, AB) 12 points  2 rebounds (all def) in 33 mins

Kerilynn MacLennan (5^th year, forward, Winnipeg,MB) : 4 points 10 rebounds (6 def) in 30 mins

Turnovers:

MacEwan: 21    TRU: 23

Score by Periods:

TRU                15     17    14  21`  65

MacEwan:     14     11    15  19   61

RECORD:

TRU: 2-0             MacEwan: 0-2

QUOTES:

TRU Assistant Coach Chuck Ferguson::

On the Contest: " Tale of two halves. In the first half we were really good and took care of the rock. In the second half, we went kind of cold shooting, turning the ball over, got into foul trouble. I am not sure if we were just getting a little tired as the game progressed or what it was. Certainly we let it get out of control in the second half."

On MacEwan's pressure frustrating his players (Chelsey Hoey-3^rd year, forward, Parksville,BC fouled out both nights): "We are a pretty young team. When we face that pressure, certainly with the rookies they have to adjust to that. It is a different game than high school-faster and much more aggressive. It is a learning process for them. Chelsea and Shenise for that matter didn't really get into flow of things because of the fouls. That is the way things go sometimes. We had to find another way to win and tonight that ws the case."

Video of post game interview:  click here

MacEwan Head Coach Katherine Adams (2^nd season):

On the second half comeback: " It was definitely a good bounce back from yesterday's performance. We played a little more like ourselves. Just the fight and grittiness that we like to see. It was a great experience for a young team in a close game."

On their aggressiveness putting TRU off their game: " It was a goal of ours today to be better defensively. We gave up too many points yesterday. It wasn't that much of a difference today but I thought the way we were able to do it was much better."

Video of post game interview:  right here

UP NEXT:

The  WolfPack will travel to Kelowna BC next weekend for a two game set against the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat  Saturday and Sunday(Nov 4-5).

The Griffins will have their home opener as they entertain the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns on Friday and Saturday (Nov 3-4).

Next home game for Thompson Rivers will be Friday November 17^th on the Warner Rentals Court at the Tournament Capital Centre when they entertain Lethbridge. That game will be webcast starting at 5:50 pm on www.Canadawest.tv with Jamie Shinkewski ,Luke Kieper and Kashara Atkins providing interviews. 

All WolfPack games—home and away—are webcast on a pay per view basis on Canada West TV.