Cascades forward Kayli Sartori goes for a lay-up during a recent home game against the University of Victoria. Sartori sat out last weekend's games but could return during this weekend's road trip, according to coach Al Tuchscherer
Photograph by: Tree Frog Imaging , for the TIMES
The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) Cascades
women's basketball squad remained undefeated after beating a pair of Manitoba schools last weekend.
The Cascades beat the University of Manitoba Bisons 66-51 Friday night. The following evening, they downed the University of Winnipeg Wesmen 60-52.
With the victories, the Cascades-who are ranked second in the nation-moved to 8-0 on the year.
UFV came out strong against Manitoba on Friday and had quickly leapt to a 12point lead by the end of the first quarter. The Cascades would maintain that lead, eventually building a 20-point cushion.
While the Bisons narrowed the score, the Cascades' lead and unbeaten record were never in jeopardy and UFV head coach Al Tuchscherer used the game to use his bench and spread some minutes around.
Chilliwack's Sarah Wierks led the way, posting 14 points in the first half en route to an 18-point night.
UFV out-rebounded the Bisons 46-19, with Chilliwack secondary school grad Courtney Bartel leading the way for the Cascades with eight boards.
The University of Winnipeg Wesmen put up a tougher fight the following evening. But even without stalwarts Alexa McCarthy and Kayli Sartori, the Cascades were still good enough to see off the challenge.
After a tight first quarter, the sister duo of Nicole and Sarah Wierks led a UFV charge in the second. Nicole posted nine points and four rebounds, while Sarah contributed five points and six boards as the Cascades extended their lead.
While the Wesmen narrowed the score in the fourth quarter, a key three-pointer from Courtney Bartel helped seal the UFV victory.
Both Wierks finished with 14 points on the night to lead UFV, while Bartel registered seven points.
"I thought in the second half we really settled down after playing a first half without the rhythm we like to play with," Tuchscherer said, "We were much more composed and we started to get some better looks at the hoop. I thought our defence was pretty tough for most of the game and that held us in until we could get a bit of an offensive run."
