Kelowna, BC - Maddy Gobeil scored a season-high 25 points on Friday, but it was not enough as the UFV Cascades lost their first game of the season 66-54 to the UBCO Heat. The Cascades, who came into this contest ranked third in the nation, see their record fall to 6-1 while the Heat improve to 5-2 on the year.

The Heat got off to a good start, scoring the first eight points of the game on their way to outscore the Cascades 18-10 in the first quarter. UBCO led by as many as 10 in the first half, and although UFV would cut their lead to just one early in the third quarter, the Heat stayed in control to eventually close it out with a 12-point victory.

"We aren't getting the starts that we want," noted UFV bench boss Al Tuchscherer after the game. "When you are going down eight to 10 points in games you can only play catch up so many times before it gets you, and tonight it got us."

The Cascades struggled offensively on the night, shooting 29.2% from the field, which included going 3-17 in the third quarter. In contrast the Heat managed to shoot 40.6% from the field.

Gobeil added seven rebounds to go with her 25 points on the night to lead the Cascades, while Julia Tuchscherer chipped in 14 points and eight rebounds in the effort.

Al Tuchscherer praised his team's leading scorer post game.

"Maddy is a competitor, so we know what we are going to get from her every night. She wants to score and be aggressive that way. She does her job and that is what we need from our veteran players."

Alessia Brutto led the way for the Heat with 15 points, while Sofia Ainsa Lluch had 14 points and a game-high seven steals. Jaeli Ibbetson added a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

The two teams face off once again on Saturday afternoon. Tip off is set for 3 p.m. in Kelowna and can be watched live on Canada West TV.