WOLFPACK WBB FALL TO VIKES IN FINAL GAME OF SEASON
(Sarah Cameron (left) played her final CIS game and was top scorer for TRU. Michelle Dimond and Kaitlyn Widsten were the top two rebounders (shown right)
For Immediate Release: February 7, 2009
Victoria, BC—Put it down as another one for experience. The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s basketball team, arguably the youngest squad in the entire Canada West dropped their final game of the 2008-09 regular season. They fell 65-56 to the host University of Victoria Vikes. It was the Vikes ninth straight victory and 15 th in their last 16 games. They finished the season with a record fo 17-5. TRU wound up at 3-20.
“Great effort from start to finish. What a way to send out our 5th year. Everyone was focused and gave 100 %. Its unfortunate that one of (if not the best) players in the country showed up with a great stat line.” Said WolfPack head coach Scott Reeves referring to the play of Kayla Dykstra. The 3rd year forward from Calgary, Alberta was outstanding.
Dykstra continued to rewrite her personal record book this weekend, setting new personal bests with 23 rebounds and eight blocks. Her league-leading rebounding average of 10.6 also sets a new Vikes single-season record. Edna Ritchie held the previous high, averaging 10.55 'boards in the 1973-74 season.
Dykstra also captured the Canada West scoring title with her fifth straight 20-plus effort, netting 21 points on 8-17 shooting. Friday night against Fraser Valley she scored 33 points for a new career high. Dykstra finished the 2008-09 season with an average of 18.6 points per game.
“Dykstra is an incredible talent and has my vote for player of the year,” added Reeves. “ We were able to get them in some foul trouble but Brian(Vikes coach Cheng) did a good job on subs and never really let us take advantage of their foul situation. “
Michelle Lee (3rd year, guard, North Vancouver, BC) was the Vikes second leading scorer in Saturday's win, piling on 13 points and making four assists. Vanessa Forstbauer (3rd year, forward, Chilliwack, BC) dished out seven helpers, had eight rebounds, and scored nine points while perpetually flirting with a triple-double.
Thompson Rivers had the Vikes pinned on their heels after the completion of the first half, taking a 30-28 lead into the locker rooms. The 'Pack took the Vikes off their game by forcing turnovers and bad shots. However, the lead proved only temporary as the Vikes recaptured the lead early in the third. Thompson Rivers hung tough but a Vikes 8-0 run midway through the final frame put this one out of reach for the 3-20 'Pack.
Sarah Cameron(5 th year, guard, Langley, BC) scored 13 points for the 'Pack, sharing the team high with rookie Diane Schuetze(1st year, post, Vernon, BC).Cameron shot 5-7 and also picked up four rebounds in the Langley native's last CIS game. Michelle Dimond (2nd year, forward, Port Moody, BC) had 7 rebounds. Kaityn Widsten (2nd year, guard, Tswwassen, BC) added six.
The WolfPack’s bench actually outscored Victorias 14-7, but again turnovers cost TRU. They gave up 23 points to the Vikes while scoring only nine themselves.
The Vikes 1997-98 National championship team was honoured at halftime. The team posted an 18-2 conference mark and defeated the Manitoba Bisons 66-61 to capture the program's seventh CIS trophy.
(with assistance from the UVic Sports Information Department)