The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack can lay claim to the 2015-16 President's Cup.  The 'Pack won the women's cup for the second straight year as they downed the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat 70-60 on Saturday (Feb 20).

The win on the Warner Rentals Court—in the final night of the Canada West regular season—assured TRU of the President's Cup.  The Cup is a competition between UBCO and TRU in all Canada West sports. Heading into the contest, both schools were tied with three wins, three losses and a tie.

The victory by the WolfPack gave them a 15-5 regular season as they finish second in the Explorer Division. The Heat end the season at 10-10.

WolfPack assistant coach Chuck Ferguson said the Heat gave them all they could handle. " I expected them to come out with a bunch of adjustments and play a better game and they did. This effort tonight is indicative of the type of team they are.  It was good to get the win."

The Heat stymied the WolfPack in the first half with a full court press—something TRU had difficulty breaking.  "Yes we have to work on that,' agreed Ferguson "And turning over the ball.  We have had too many turnovers the past couple of weeks. I thought we were better on the glass tonight but the turnovers kill us."

TRU turned over the ball 26 times to UBCO's 11.

"I thought we were pretty resilient tonight," Heat head coach Claire Meadows explained. "We had three really good pushes. TRU went on a run and we came back with some of our own. It really symbolized how our team played this season."

She admitted her game plan was to press the 'Pack. "It is something that we pride ourselves on. Over the course of two nights, we begin to wear down the opposition. I thought it showed tonight as we wound up forcing some turnovers."

The WoulfPack did have four players in double figures led by Kassie Colonna (4^th year, forward, Invermere, BC).  Colonna—who was playing her final home Canada West gamej—had 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Sarah Malate (5^th year, guard, Calgary, AB), Michelle Bos (2^nd year, guard, Surrey, BC) and Emma Piggin (2^nd year, guard, Kamloops, BC) all had 10 points. Bos added 10 rebounds.  Jordan MacLean (4^th year, forward, Hinton, AB) had 11 boards while Taiysa Worsfold (5^th year, guard, Kamloops, BC) added nine points.

Worsfold and Malate were also playing their final career home game and were honored afterwards along with Colonna and injured guard Jenna Quinton (4^th year, Calgary, AB).

Ferguson felt all three seniors who played contributed. "Maybe it was part of the emotion of not wanting to go out with a loss. Kassie was fantastic tonight as were the others."

Meadows praised the play of Emily Kanester (4^th year, guard, Vernon, BC).  She had 20 points to lead UBCO offensively. Vanessa Botteselle (2^nd year, guard, North Vancouver, BC) added 12 points.

"Emily had a huge second half for us,' she said. "She has been that spark for us all season so it was good to see her end the season with a good shooting game."

The WolfPack will have a week off before heading to Regina to meet the Cougars in the Canada West women's basketball quarter finals. The best of three series begins Thursday, March 3^rd.