After a nearly two-month hiatus, the University of the Fraser Valley women's basketball team returns to action with road games vs. the UBC Okanagan Heat.

This weekend's games were originally slated for Nov. 26-27, but were rescheduled to Jan. 8-9 in the aftermath of flooding and landslides impacting the province. The corresponding men's basketball games have been postponed due to UBC Okanagan not having the minimum number of players available to safely compete this weekend.

GAME SCHEDULE

Saturday, Jan. 8: Cascades (5-1, 2nd in West Division) at UBC Okanagan Heat (4-4, T-3rd in West Division), 5 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 9: Cascades at Heat, 1 p.m.
Webcast: CanadaWest.tv presented by Co-op

THE MATCH-UP

The Cascades and Heat open 2022 with a reprise of the regular-season opener for both teams. Back on Oct. 29, the two teams tipped off Canada West play at the UFV Athletic Centre, with the hosts prevailing 71-67. The Cascades opened a 15-point lead early in the fourth quarter, only to watch the Heat rally to cut the deficit to two points, but tightened up the defence in the dying minutes to secure the win.

RECENT FORM

We're using the term "recent" rather loosely here… the Cascades haven't played since Nov. 13 (a 72-31 win over Thompson Rivers), while the Heat's last game was Nov. 27 (an 89-51 win, also over TRU). 

UFV's win streak in CW play is at three, and they'll be looking to keep pace with the Trinity Western Spartans (6-0) heading into next week's match-up with their local rivals. UBCO, meanwhile, has proven to be a dangerous foe with some impressive wins on their ledger, most notably an 80-75 road triumph over UVic on Nov. 6.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Deanna Tuchscherer, UFV – A Canada West third team all-star and conference rookie of the year in 2019-20, Tuchscherer is putting together another all-star calibre campaign. The sophomore guard/forward from Chilliwack, B.C. ranks fifth in conference scoring (19.8 points per game) and 13th in rebounding (7.3). Her signature moment came on Nov. 6 at UBC, when she exploded for 20 points in the last 13 minutes of the game (three minutes of regulation plus two overtime periods) to carry the Cascades to a thrilling 71-64 triumph.

Kelsey Falk, UBCO – The last time these two teams met, sophomore guard Falk was a difference-maker for the Heat, ringing up a huge double-double (15 points, 15 rebounds) to go with three blocks. Falk ranks second in the CW rebounding race (11.6 per game), and the Cascades will do their best to keep her off the boards this weekend. 

QUOTABLE

"We've been practicing for five weeks for these games, and I think we're all just super happy at getting a chance to play. It's just nice to be able to play the game that you love. To be able to play, and play together, is huge." – Cascades guard Nikki Cabuco, on what it means to her to return to game action

"Our team is very competitive, and we know it. Sometimes we'll have practices where we want to tear each other's heads off because we have so much energy and competitive drive that just needs to get out. When it comes out towards our teammates, we just take a step back and say, 'We all have the same goal here, we want to get better for each other.' It's been about taking that competitive drive and putting it into our teamwork." – Cabuco, on how her team stayed engaged during the long layoff

"They (the Heat) love to crash the offensive boards, and they're strong drivers. We've been working a lot on boxing out, even the guards coming down. I think that's our biggest challenge. We know what our tasks are – it's just about getting down to it and doing it as a team." – Cabuco, on what her team needs to do well vs. UBCO