Kelowna, BC – The UBC Okanagan earn their first ever four game winning streak in Canada West as they dispatch the visiting Mount Royal Cougars by 20, 70-50.
With the win the Heat improve to 4-1, their best start to a season since they joined the Canada West conference in the 2011-12 season.
Leading from the tip to the final whistle the UBC Okanagan Heat women's basketball team cruised to their 20-point victory with tenacious defense.
The Heat's guard play, specifically on the defensive end, was key to victory for UBC as the home team forced the Cougars into 31 turnovers and snatched 14 steals. Mount Royal actually shot the ball better (40% - 36%) but took 14 fewer shots due to their turnovers.
Once again it was the leadership of fourth year guard Emily Kanester on the offensive end that keyed the Heat's offense.
Both teams had trouble scoring in the first few minutes when Kanester hit the first three pointer of night at the 5:30 mark of the first quarter. Her three opened up the scoring for UBCO as four different Heat players hit from long distance in that first frame. Threes were made by Shennelle Tamminen, Vanessa Botteselle and Chloe Kennedy. Okanagan finished the quarter taking the lead by 13 points (20-7).
Kanester led UBC Okanagan in scoring for the fourth straight game with 13 points. Kayla McFadden was the only other Heat player in double digits, she finished with 10. The balanced scoring was highlighted by all 12 members of the team scoring at least two points.
The Cougars second year forward Melissa Moore scored a game high total of 17 points. Katie Waring, the third year guard, for the Mount Royal Cougars created many opportunities for the Cougars. Waring finished with two assists and six points, Angie Driscoll also finished with six points for Mount Royal. Moore also led her team in rebounding with eight.
Claire Elliott was the defensive player of the game pestering the Cougar back court and came away with six steals for UBC Okanagan.
After a half time lead of 17 (39-22) for UBC Okanagan, both teams defended well during the third, but UBC Okanagan was able to push their lead to 19 after a Haylie Gibb converted a lay-in and the Heat remained ahead at 51-32.
The Okanagan Heat jumped ahead right off the start of the fourth quarter extended their lead to 22, before the Cougars finished with a run scoring 18 points in the fourth attempting to catch-up. The Heat closed out the game 70-50.
The Mount Royal Cougars remain winless as their record falls to 0-5. These two teams will play again tomorrow and will tip of at 5 p.m. in Kelowna.