Jeff Sargeant/UBC Thunderbirds

VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds (2-0) staked themselves out to a 17-9 lead after the first quarter and never looked back in a convincing 69-49 win over the Fraser Valley Cascades (0-2) as UBC completed the home opening weekend sweep.
 
UBC forward Keylyn Filewich led all players with 21 points while recording her first Canada West double-double with 12 rebounds.
 
"I've had to flip mentalities a bit to go from somebody who's playing a role and coming off the bench to somebody who has a bigger role," said Filewich, who is being asked to step up both on and off the court as a leader for a young team. "I'm trying to step up into that and hopefully through the season I can maintain that."

Jessica Hanson finished with 15 points as did Maddison Penn who also earned a double-double with 11 total rebounds.

"Those three are really developing into good leaders and developing some confidence and also learning how to play together," said UBC head coach Deb Huband. "They're learning how to compliment each other on the floor and how to involve other people into both the offence and defence."

Gabrielle Laguerta played 15 minutes off the bench for the 'Birds while contributing seven points as part of an all-around effort for the 'Birds who are starting the 2017-18 season on the right foot.

The Cascades were hanging around down by 11 at the half and outscored UBC 16-15 in the third quarter to remain within striking distance heading to the final frame.

But the 'Birds saved their best for last putting up a whopping 24 points in the final 10 minutes to the Cascades' 14.

"I like the way we rebounded, we got to the offensive glass and that made a big difference for us on our runs both yesterday and today," said Huband.

"We talked a lot about pushing tempo and being a strong defensive team to get transition," added Filewich. "In pre-season we got away from that a bit but these two games we've had more glimpses of what we want to do."

Fraser Valley was led by forward Taylor Claggett with 14 points and 33 total minutes.

Having started the season a perfect 2-0 at home, the T-Birds head on the road for four straight games starting with a weekend double header against the Dinos in Calgary next Friday and Saturday, November 3 and 4.

Fraser Valley will host its first home games of Canada West conference play next weekend, when the Mt. Royal Cougars visit the Envision Financial Athletic Centre for games on Friday (6 p.m.) and Saturday (5 p.m.)

PHOTO: Rich Lam/UBC Thunderbirds