By Larry Read
Thompson Rivers University Sports Information Officer
KAMLOOPS, BC---The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack 's two game Canada West women's basketball winning streak is over.
The Pack gave up 26 points in the second quarter and 20 in the third quarter and were beaten by the visiting University of Alberta Pandas 76-54 on "Shoot for the Cure" night at the Tournament Capital Centre in Kamloops, BC.
Alberta improved to 7-2 on the season while the 'Pack fell to 3-6.
The Pandas had four players in double figures led by Vanessa Wild who had 25. TRU's main gunner was Michelle Bos again. The fifth year guard from Surrey was named the "TRU Bookstore/McDonalds Leader of the Pack Player of the Game."
It was a two point ball game after the first quarter with Alberta turning over the ball seven times to TRU's 5 but led 12-10.
The second quarter totally belonged to the Pandas who went on a 15-3 run and led by 17 at the break (38-21).
Vanessa Wild went ''wild" in the second quarter scoring 11 of her first half 15 points in that period. Emma Kary had seven of her nine first half points in that quarter. TRU's main gunner at the half was Michelle Bos with eight.
The Pack outscored the Pandas 21-20 in the third quarter. Alberta actually turned over the ball more than the WolfPack 21-15 in that area.
Alberta ruled the boards with 76 rebounds to TRU's 56 and scored 42 points in the paint compared to the WolfPack's 22. Their bench outscored TRU's 28-10.
The WolfPack and Pandas will close out the pre-Christmas portion of their regular season when they meet again tomorrow (Sat Dec 1) on the Warner Rentals court at the Tournament Capital Centre. Tip off will be 5 pm.. That game will be webcast starting at 5:50 pm on www.Canadawest.tv with James Matthews and former TRU player Vince Watson providing the play by play and color commentary and Dylana Milobar providing interviews.
All WolfPack games—home and away—are webcast on a pay per view basis on Canada West TV.
This was the WolfPack's contribution to the U SPORTS initiative "CIBC Shoot for the Cure". The Pack wore pink shirts in warm up. The World Famous Kamloops Rube Band were on hand to play for the fans in this game.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:
THEY SAID IT!! (post game quotes):
TRU Assistant Coach Chuck Ferguson::
Says the second half cost them: " they are a very deep team. They are well coached. We are very young and we made a lot of mistakes especially on the defensive end. We didn't do a very good job on the glass tonight or taking care of the ball. Those things ultimately put us in a hole at half time that we were unable to get out of:
Video of post game interview: click here
Alberta head coach Scott Edwards (13th season):
On the second quarter surge: " That was huge for us. We got a great defensive energy in that quarter which got us into transition game which is always helpful. Some kids that were frustrated with their first quarter shooting saw some balls go through the hoop. That let us for the rest of the game."
Video of post game interview: click here