ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – It took the University of the Fraser Valley women's basketball team a while to find its collective footing, but once they finally did, they were able to fend off a stiff test from the UNBC Timberwolves on Friday evening.
 
The U SPORTS No. 2-ranked Cascades (5-0) defeated the T-Wolves (0-5) by a 68-57 count at the UFV Athletic Centre.
 
UFV's third-year backcourt partners Maddy Gobeil (14 points, five assists, five rebounds) and Nikki Cabuco (12 points, four assists) both scored in double figures, while Alina Shakirova's 12 points paced UNBC.
 
The two teams renew hostilities at the UFV Athletic Centre on Saturday (5 p.m., CanadaWest.tv).
 
"We struggled to find a cohesive way to all be on the same page right away," Cabuco analyzed afterward. "That just showed tonight with all the balls that were fumbling out of our hands and all the turnovers we had in the first quarter. 
 
"I think we realized – or we should know – that we are going to be winning these types of games by doing it all together. That isn't just passing the ball nicely together or shooting the ball 100 per cent. It's more being together mentally.
 
"We came together more (as the game wore on), not even necessarily with the basketball IQ, but with the mental side – making sure everyone was on the same page."
 
The Cascades' start was inauspicious to say the least – the T-Wolves were tough as nails on defence, forcing a series of UFV turnovers and building an early 10-2 edge. Amidst that game-opening run, Cascades head coach Al Tuchscherer took out all five of his starters and went with an all-reserve lineup in an effort to spark his squad.
 
The hosts, after surrendering 12 turnovers in the opening frame, were able to find some traction in the second. Cabuco led the charge offensively, confidently swishing a trio of triples, and a late Gobeil steal led to a Lauren Clements layup to give UFV a 32-29 advantage at the break.
 
UNBC's Laura Garmendia Garcia matched Cabuco's nine points to lead her squad offensively in the first half.
 
The Cascades expanded the lead to 53-35 thanks so some sharp transition play while limiting the T-Wolves to just six points in the third quarter, and they were able to keep UNBC at bay from there.
 
Natalie Rathler stuffed the stat sheet for UFV, posting nine points, a team-best seven rebounds, and five assists. 
 
Garmendia Garcia (11 points) and Sarah Kuklisin (10 points) joined Shakirova as double-digit scorers for UNBC.