By Larry Read

TRU Sports Information Officer

KAMLOOPS, BC--- The University of Fraser Valley Cascades rebounded from a 21-9 first quarter deficit and clawed their way to a 59-53  victory over the host Thompson Rivers University WolfPack. The Canada West women's basketball game was played Friday (Jan 12) on the Warner Rentals court at the Tournament Capital Centre.

The victory snapped the Cascades four game losing streak and was their fifth win of the season. TRU's losing streak moves to three as they fall below the .500 mark (7-8).

Fraser Valley had four players in double figures led by fifth year Taylor Claggett with 17.   TRU's big scorers were Jordon Haggerty (Saskatoon, SK) and Emily Vilac (Kamloops, BC) with 10 points a piece.

 SYNOPSIS

The WolfPack owned the first quarter as they jumped out to a 2-19 lead powered by 7 points from rookie guard Haggerty.

But the Cascades rebounded going on an 11-1 run early in the second quarter and wound up out gunning the 'Pack 17-9. Still, TRU led by four-30-26 going into half time. Sara Simovic had nine points for Fraser Valley in that second quarter.

The Cascades continued to pick away at the WolfPack lead and with 4:02 left in the third quarter, UFV took their first lead of the game (33-32).  Led by seven points and four offensive rebounds in the quarter by Taylor Claggett, they led by three (40-37) after three quarters.

The fourth quarter was a see saw affair, Fraser Valley went up by nine (58-49) with two and a half minutes to go.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:

click here

KEY STATS:

Thompson Rivers :

Jordon Haggerty: 10 points, 4 rebounds (3 defense) 2 steals, 2 ass9sts: 33 mins

Emily Vilac: 10 points, 5 rebounds (3 offense), 1 steal: 18 mins

Michelle Bos: 9 points, 11 rebounds (6 defense), 1 assist, 1 steal: 26 mins

FRASER VALLEY:

Taylor Claggett:17 points, 16 rebounds (10 defense), 1 assist, :27 mins

Sara Simovic:12 points, 8 defensive rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists: 36 mins

Jessica Zawada; 10 points, 4 rebounds (3 defense), 2 steals: 24 mins

Kate Head: 10 points, 3 defensive rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals: 29 mins

 Turnovers:

TRU:   18           UFV:  19
Score by Periods:

TRU            21     9     7    16  -53

UFV:             9   17   14    19 - 59

RECORD:

TRU: 7-8    UFV: 5-10

QUOTES:

TRU Assistant Coach Chuck Ferguson::

On the Contest: "I thought we played a great first half and for some reason we came out flat in the second.  Our execution wasn't there. We went 20 for 80 on shots. 23 per cent is not a good enough result to win at this level. In the fourth quarter, we didn't execute on the offensive end and they did.  That was the deciding factor. They scored in the fourth and we couldn't execute.

On mental lapses during the contest:  "We talked about that in the locker room. We didn't feel we were engaged especially in the fourth quarter. I thought we were scrambled. We were on fire in the wrong direction. Credit to them for coming out strong in the fourth and got it done."

Video of post game interview:  click here

Opponent head coach Al Tuchscherer (16^th season):

On character win " Wins have been a little hard to come by this year, we tend to find ways to lose. Tonight it was good to see us battle back after that first quarter. Not a pretty game but we will take it."

On play of Taylor Claggett: "Taylor is a great player for us. When she has it going she is pretty tough to guard and is gritty on the board. She did a good job.

What did you tell the team after the first quarter: "I didn't say too much. We have been in that situation before. We talked about our compete level a little bit. We changed our defense around a bit. That was key and we had some players step up who normally do (Kate Head and Jessica Zawada)."

Video of post game interview: click here

UP NEXT:

The  WolfPack  and Cascades will tangle again on tomorrow (Sat Jan 13) on the Warner Rentals Court at the Tournament Capital Centre. Tip off will be 5 pm. 

The game will be shown on a pay per view basis with Larry Read doing the play by play with Jordy Cunningham as color commentator and Kashara Atkins doing interviews.  The webcast begins at 4:50 pm on www.Canadawesttv.com.

OF NOTE:

 The  game featured the  97.5River  "Free flow Free throw" contest.  "TRU Bookstore/McDonalds  Leader of the Pack" Player of the game was Megan Rouault (1^st  year, Vernon, BC).  She had seven rebounds (four defensively) and two points, a steal and an assist in 14 minutes on the court.