WBB: UBC Wins the CW Play-In Against UBCO
February 17, 2023
SASKATOON, SK - The Canada West women's basketball playoffs have arrived! Tonight's matchup in Saskatoon marked the start of the playoff season, with the play-in game set between the #8 University of British Columbia Thunderbirds and the #9 University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat.
With one of the best defences in the country, the UBC Thunderbirds would win the play-in against the UBCO Heat by a score of 65-52.
After a first quarter that ended in a 17-17 tie, both teams were looking to pull ahead in the second. The Thunderbirds would head into halftime with a 32-24 lead over the Heat.
Defensively, the Thunderbirds would force 12 turnovers from the Heat in the first half, grabbing 10 points off those turnovers. UBC was 100% on their free throws, with UBCO at 56%.
Kelsey Falk was the leading scorer in the first half with 10 points for the Heat, with the Thunderbirds' Sara Toneguzzi following close behind with nine points. Toneguzzi struggled with her three pointers, netting just one of seven in the half.
The UBC bench was a key component of the first half, with 16 points compared to UBCO's three points from the bench.
"At the end of the day, we of course rely on our defence a lot," said UBC Head Coach Erin McAlennan. "We really just tried to use offensive rebounding, and getting out into transition, especially trying to attack off of some of their turnovers to try and get some easy buckets."
A strong third quarter from the Thunderbirds would extend their lead by ten, giving them the 47-37 lead. UBC would keep the lead through the rest of the game and win the Canada West Play-In by a score of 65 to 52. The UBC bench would be the key to the game for the Thunderbirds, scoring 43 points for the team.
"They're a really good offensive team so of course we were trying to key in on a few of their really good players. We've talked all season about that we're second in the conference in defense and in playoffs you need to be able to come in and focus to defend. We did a good job of containing and forcing them into some tough shots," said UBC's McAlennan.
Leading the way for the Thunderbirds would be Mona Berlitz, with 23 points and six rebounds on the night. Taelor Coxford had 10 points and five assists, with Sara Toneguzzi with nine points and three rebounds.
UBCO's leading scorer would be Kelsey Falk, nabbing 16 points and seven rebounds. Adding to the Heat's total would be Sofia Ainsa Lluch with 13 points, seven rebounds, and two steals.
"Obviously, we're disappointed and it's not the result we wanted," said UBCO Head Coach Bobby Mitchell. "I thought our compete level was pretty good throughout the game. They're a tough team defensively but we showed some signs in the third quarter and kind of got back in the game."
The UBC Thunderbirds will now head into Saturday's Canada West Quarter Final match up against the top ranked Saskatchewan Huskies. Game time is set for 6:00 PM CST and can be streamed live on CanadaWest.TV. Tickets are available at HuskieTickets.com.
With one of the best defences in the country, the UBC Thunderbirds would win the play-in against the UBCO Heat by a score of 65-52.
After a first quarter that ended in a 17-17 tie, both teams were looking to pull ahead in the second. The Thunderbirds would head into halftime with a 32-24 lead over the Heat.
Defensively, the Thunderbirds would force 12 turnovers from the Heat in the first half, grabbing 10 points off those turnovers. UBC was 100% on their free throws, with UBCO at 56%.
Kelsey Falk was the leading scorer in the first half with 10 points for the Heat, with the Thunderbirds' Sara Toneguzzi following close behind with nine points. Toneguzzi struggled with her three pointers, netting just one of seven in the half.
The UBC bench was a key component of the first half, with 16 points compared to UBCO's three points from the bench.
"At the end of the day, we of course rely on our defence a lot," said UBC Head Coach Erin McAlennan. "We really just tried to use offensive rebounding, and getting out into transition, especially trying to attack off of some of their turnovers to try and get some easy buckets."
A strong third quarter from the Thunderbirds would extend their lead by ten, giving them the 47-37 lead. UBC would keep the lead through the rest of the game and win the Canada West Play-In by a score of 65 to 52. The UBC bench would be the key to the game for the Thunderbirds, scoring 43 points for the team.
"They're a really good offensive team so of course we were trying to key in on a few of their really good players. We've talked all season about that we're second in the conference in defense and in playoffs you need to be able to come in and focus to defend. We did a good job of containing and forcing them into some tough shots," said UBC's McAlennan.
Leading the way for the Thunderbirds would be Mona Berlitz, with 23 points and six rebounds on the night. Taelor Coxford had 10 points and five assists, with Sara Toneguzzi with nine points and three rebounds.
UBCO's leading scorer would be Kelsey Falk, nabbing 16 points and seven rebounds. Adding to the Heat's total would be Sofia Ainsa Lluch with 13 points, seven rebounds, and two steals.
"Obviously, we're disappointed and it's not the result we wanted," said UBCO Head Coach Bobby Mitchell. "I thought our compete level was pretty good throughout the game. They're a tough team defensively but we showed some signs in the third quarter and kind of got back in the game."
The UBC Thunderbirds will now head into Saturday's Canada West Quarter Final match up against the top ranked Saskatchewan Huskies. Game time is set for 6:00 PM CST and can be streamed live on CanadaWest.TV. Tickets are available at HuskieTickets.com.