~ Oliver Rizun, Heat Sports Information

Kelowna, B.C. - A poor first quarter put the Heat women's basketball team behind the eight ball and they could never find their footing in a 82-65 loss to the visiting Thompson Rivers University WolfPack on the UBC Okanagan hardwood on Saturday afternoon.

The team from Kamloops would build up a 13 point lead after the first quarter and would turn that into a 15 point halftime margin. The Heat would not be able to overcome this however in the second half even with a 22-18 fourth quarter win. With the loss the Heat fall to 0-3 early on in the new season while the WolfPack continue to be undefeated at 3-0. The two teams will face off once again tomorrow afternoon with the tip-off at 1 p.m. in the Furnace.

First half:

The Heat and WolfPack stayed tight early on but the 'Pack expanded a one point lead four minutes into the game into a 13 point lead at the end of one. Kanesha Reeves had eight points in the first frame for the visitors thanks to two made baskets from behind the arc.

The main difference in the first half was the free throw line and the 3-point line. The Heat shot a better percentage from 2-point range however the visitors were perfect from the foul line (8-8) and made three more shots from distance then the home team.

At the break the visitors would increase their lead slightly as they would go into half leading 45-30. Vanessa Botteselle led the way for the home squad with eight points at halftime. The visitors continued their balanced scoring as nine different players scored for the WolfPack.

Second half:

The second half quickly turned against the Heat. After they scored the opening bucket to cut the lead to 13 the 'Pack would go on a quick 8-0 run that forced a timeout from head coach Claire Meadows. At the end of the third frame the visitors continued to lead by a score of 64-43. The home team would win the fourth quarter 22-18 thanks to a buzzer beating three-pointer by transfer Anastasia Evans. The WolfPack would still prevail in the game winning by a final score of 82-65.

Impact performances:

- Forwards Emma Johnson and Jordan Korol would lead the Heat in scoring with 12 points a piece. Korol also was the teams leading rebounder with eight boards for the game

- The starting back court combo of Emma Jonas and Vanessa Botteselle would combine to score 16 points along with eight assists.

Balanced attack:

- Thompson Rivers continued to show its depth as they had three players in double figures including a 13 point performance from Shenise Sigsworth.

- In total their were nine seperate 'Pack players with at least six points along with four with over six rebounds for the team.

Key stats:

- The Heat had the better shooting percentage of the two teams at 41% while the 'Pack shot 40% from the field

- The difference would come from the foul line and from behind the arc as the visitors would make four more three's as well as five more makes from the charity stripe

- The team from Kamloops would also own a decisive advantage on the glass as they out rebounded the Heat by 20 (51-31)