Abbotsford, BC – The UFV Cascades dropped a 58-47 result to their local rivals, the Trinity Western Spartans on Friday at UFV. UFV was unable to come away with the victory on senior night despite strong performances from graduating players Julia Tuchscherer, who posted game-highs in blocks, rebounds and points, and Esther Allison. 

UFV's record drops to 8-10, as the hold the final playoff spot in the pacific, with the loss. Meanwhile TWU improves to 14-5 with the win. 

How it happened:
The teams would trade blows throughout the opening quarter, with neither team gaining more than a two-shot advantage. Seven points off the bench from Myrlaine Shelvey would help the Spartans nurse a two-point lead going into the second.

Stout defence from TWU would see them open the next frame with a 10-0 run, as they extended their lead to 25-13. UFV would push back late and back-to-back triples from Esther Allison would pull UFV back within seven at the break. 

The teams would play mostly even through the third and fourth quarters, but UFV would cut the game to just five with two minutes remaining. A Fania Taylor Layup was followed by a Miah Schuurman bucket, but that was as close as the Cascades would get as TWU closed out the game with a 6-0 run to take it.

Notable:
Julia Tuchscherer had a game-high 15 points to go with 13 rebounds, four steals and five blocks to lead the way for UFV. Taylor chipped in 12 points, and Allison added 10 points.

Cassidy Buchanan had a team-high 14 points for TWU, while Shelvey had 10 points in the game.

After the game, the Cascades honoured graduating players Tuchscherer, Allison, and Charley Arnold who all played their final home game at the UFV Athletic Centre on Friday.

Quotable:
UFV head coach Al Tuchscherer

"I've been here a long time, so I've seen a lot of players come and go. A you know, they hold a special place for you – the ones that stay here for five years."

"[We want to] just try and not be too attached to the outcome and just get better every day. Teach the young players how to play and what it means. We have two tough ones up at UBCO coming up, and we'll just keep getting better. That's all we can do."

Up Next:
The Cascades head on the road to finish off their regular season next week against the UBCO Heat.


To keep up with all the action follow the Cascades on social media at @ufvcascades and visit the UFV Athletics website at gocascades.ca.

 

• With files from Jeffrey Kennett / The Cascade