WOLFPACK WBB BLOW HALFTIME LEAD AND LOSE TO UBC

For Immediate release: January 3, 2009



Kamloops BC—The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Women’s Basketball Team’s hopes of a  first ever playoff berth could have gone the way of above freezing temperatures in the BC Interior in Janury.
The WolfPack blew a 34-26 halftime lead and fell to the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds 70-54.  The loss drops TRU to 3 and 10.  UBC improves to 4 and 8.

“We can’t hit shots and they can,” said a very discouraged WolfPack head coach Scott Reeves. “ You hit shots and you win.  We shot 26 per cent ---13 in the second half. If you aren’t going to make shots you don’t win games. There is no magic formula here.”

“I was pleased with the way we came out in the second half, especially the fourth quarter,” stated UBC bench boss Deb Huband  “ The way we defended and the way we were able to get ourselves going offensively.”
Huband felt it was a big contest but didn’t go out on a limb to say the victory was the death knell for either team’s post season hopes . “ Both teams are hungary for wins. Although we’ve played a lot of basketball, there is still a lot to be played. You want to start the second term on a right foot.  But, it was the first game after the break. It wasn’t one to write home about…it was sloppy on both sides.  We were happy that we won.”

UBC was led offensively by Alex Vieweg (2nd year, forward, North Vancouver, BC). She had 11 points.  Candace Morrisset (guard, 4 th year, Langley, BC) and Zara Huntley (2nd year, post, Halifax, NS)  added 10.  Morrisette had seven of her ten points in the first half.

“It was a pretty solid team effort for us,” Huband continued.  “ I thought Leanne Evans did a really good job defensively and was a factor on the boards. I thought both Candice and Devan Lisson were good leaders and got us organized on the court.”

TRU was led  by 2nd year guard Kaitlyn Widsten (Tswwassen, BC).  She had 12 points.  Michelle Dimond (2nd year, Port Moody, BC) had seven rebounds—six of them defensively.

RIM SHOTS: The WolfPack were without first year guard Brianna Pound (Kamloops, BC).  She was down with the flu. She was replaced by Lindsay Rabbitt (2nd year, Salmon Arm, BC).  Rabbitt had been red shirting this year and it was her first Canada West action after transferring in from the ACAC Mount Royal Cougars this summer.  The same two teams go at it again Sunday (Jan 4), 1 pm at the Tournament Capital Center.