Abbotsford, BC – The UFV Cascades women's basketball team survived a slow start on Saturday, as they took down the University of Victoria Vikes 72-49 to move to 4-0 so far this season. The Vikes fall to 0-4 with the result.

As it happened: 
After falling by 24 the previous night, the Vikes came out strong in the first quarter. Led by eight points from Abigail Becker, Victoria took a 14-6 lead in the opening frame. UFV cut into the deficit from the free throw line late and trailed by just three going into the second.

A 10-0 run to start the second quarter really got the Cascades running, as Julia Tuchscherer had five points and three rebounds in the frame, and the Cascades found themselves with a six-point lead at the half.

Neither team managed to gain much ground in the third, but the Cascades shooters caught fire to start the fourth. Three triples from Bernie Leda, and another from Nikki Cabuco helped the hosts on a 16-0 run, and a 21-point lead with under five minutes remaining, as they saw out the game.

Top performers: 
Maddy Gobeil led all scorers for the second straight night, scoring 20 points and adding five steals. Bernie Leda added 11 points and two steals, while Nikki Cabuco finished the game with four assists, eight points, and a plus 27.

Abigail Becker paced the Vikes with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Tegan MacKinnon posted six points and five assists.

Quotable:
Cascades guard Nikki Cabuco

"We know when we aren't playing our game. Sometimes we have to find that thing to reset our minds, and knowing that our bench is behind us, our coaches are behind us, it just fuels us to want to do it for each other. "

"We are a veteran team now, we only have one or maybe two years together, so you have to give it your all. It all just shows how much we want to do it for each other, and I know my teammates want me to do what I can do. They don't want me to be hesitant, or second guess my self. They are always encouraging."

Up next:
The Cascades get set to host the 2-2 UBC Okanagan Heat next Friday and Saturday at the UFV Athletic Centre. UFV Students attend for free with a valid student ID. Tickets can be purchased online at gocascades.ca/tickets, and the game can also be seen live on canadawest.tv.