Abbotsford, BC – The UFV Cascades closed out their regular season on Saturday with a 63-50 victory over the Trinity Western University Spartans on Saturday. The win boosts the Cascades to 17-3 on the season, and they head into the playoffs on a seven-game win streak. Meanwhile, the Spartans drop to 12-8 on the year. 

The Cascades honoured graduating senior Natalie Rathler after the game, as the fifth year forward played her final regular season game for the Cascades on Saturday.

How it Happened
The Cascades got off to a great start, taking a 16-9 lead in the first, before Nikki Cabuco came up with a steam and hit a buzzer beater from just inside half-court to take a 10 point lead into the second.

A nine-point run from TWU tied the game at 23 with three minutes to go in the half, but a pair of buckets from Esther Allison and one from Rathler gave UFV a slight edge, 30-26, at the half.

Maddy Gobeil turned it on for UFV in the third, scoring 10 points in the frame, and putting the Cascades back up by nine headed into the fourth. 

TWU's Hailey Van Roekel cut the lead to seven late in the fourth, but Deanna Tuchscherer and Gobeil hit shots to extend the lead once again, and Rathler sealed the game with a late jumper in her final regular season game.

Top Performers:
Maddy Gobeil had a game-high 21 points for UFV, while Natalie Rathler notched 10 points and six boards. 

Kailey Reimer led TWU with 13 points, and Jayden Gill chipped in 11.

Quotable:
Cascades forward Natalie Rathler

"I think we still have so much to do as a team, and playoffs are just starting. That's our focus as a team, and that's been my focus. Tonight was a little emotional just having the recognition of it being the last home regular season game, but I think we are all in the mindset of prepping for what is to come next in playoffs. I don't think it will sink in until the journey has fully come to an end."

"I have grown up here in the last six years, and I have developed so much as a player and as a person. It has been a significant part of my life with my teammates, and it's been talked about a bit in the last few years how we are all best friends. I love these girls, I am always going to love these girls, and I have made friendships here on the team and in the UFV community as a whole that I am going to keep forever."

Up next:
The Cascades now get set to host the Canada West playoffs from February 21 to 25. Tournament passes are currently on sale, with single session passes to become available once the draw is finalized. Visit gocascades.ca/canadawestwbb for more information on ticketing.