PANDAS BEST WOLFPACK AT THE U OF A
(Michelle Dimond (left) was the top scorer and Kailey Calonna (right) the top rebounder against Alberta)
For Immediate Release: January 30, 2009
Edmonton, Alta-The University of Alberta Butterdome is always a tough place to play no matter who the opponent is. On this night (Fri, Jan 30), it was the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack who fell victim to the fifth ranked team in the CIS. The Alberta Pandas downed the WolfPack 75-39 handing TRU their 10 th straight defeat in the Canada West.
"We had 19 turnovers in the first half," said Pack head coach Scott Reeves. " That didn't really give us a chance to get in the game." Alberta led 36-14 at the half.
"Alberta is a great team and it looks like they are peaking at the right time," explained Reeves, who's team was out rebounded 45-39 in the contest. "Edwards (Alberta coach Scott) is doing a great job and their defense is certainly improving at the right time."
Alberta was led by Nicole Clarke(1st year, guard, Calgary, Alta) with 12 points. TRU's top gunner was 2nd year forward Michelle Dimond (Port Moody, BC). Dimond had 14 points. "She had a great game for us, "stated Reeves. "She was great at both ends of the floor".
The Pandas started the game with a bang, playing hard and fast to start and earning an 18-2 lead from which they never looked back from.
Alberta's pressure and speed kept the Wolfpack on their heels all night, as the visitors committed a total of 32 errors, including 19 in a first half where the Pandas led 39-14.
The third quarter was much of the same as the Pandas, and their entire bench, racked up a 21-9 scoring run through the 10 minute span and walked into the fourth with a comfortable 60-23 lead.
Edwards and Alberta were out-played in the fourth, in what was the worst quarter of the night, as both sides went minutes without hitting a bucket. TRU put up 16 points to Alberta's 15; but the damage had long been done, as the Pandas picked up the 75-39 victory.
Tracy Kocs (1st year, forward, Coquiltam, BC) had 10 points and played well in the third quarter for TRU. Beth McNeill (1st year, forward, North Vancouver, BC) and Kayla Forsyth (3rd year, forward, Vernon, BC) each had five points. McNeill was 1 for 3 from three point land.
Kailey Calonna (2nd year, forward, Invermere, BC) had 6 rebounds to lead TRU. The WolfPack fall to 3 and 17 on the year and head into Saskatoon to meet the Central Division leaders, The University of Saskatchewan Huskies on Saturday night (Jan 31). Alberta improves to 13 and 6 and will entertain the University of the Fraser Valley on Saturday.
The WolfPack have never beaten Alberta in their four year CIS History.
(with assistance from the U of A Sports Information Department)