The University of the Fraser Valley women's basketball team buckled down on defence in the second half on Friday, en route to an 83-57 victory over the UNBC Timberwolves in their regular season home opener.

The Cascades led 26-14 at the end of the first quarter, but the T-Wolves responded in the second, outscoring the hosts 26-21 in the frame. UFV got a buzzer-beating jump shot from Shayna Litman to take a 47-40 lead into the break.

The third quarter was all Cascades, though – they limited the T-Wolves to just seven points while scoring 19 themselves, and cruised to victory from there.

Sarah Wierks and Nataliia Gavryliuk scored 18 points apiece for the Cascades, while Litman (16 points), Katie Brink (10) and Celeste Dyck (nine) also chipped in offensively.

Sarah Buckingham racked up a game-high 24 points for the Timberwolves, while Cassie Rerick scored 11.

UNBC shot 60 per cent from the field in the first half, but the Cascades limited them to 26.1 per cent after halftime.

UFV (3-0) and UNBC (0-3) renew hostilities on Saturday evening at 5 p.m. at the Envision Athletic Centre.