After Julia Tuchscherer took center stage on opening weekend, it was her older sister’s turn in week two of Canada West women’s basketball action.
Deanna Tuchscherer scored a game high 30 points, adding 10 rebounds as her University of the Fraser Valley Cascades earned a thrilled 71-64 double overtime victory over the UBC Thunderbirds Saturday (Nov. 6) in Vancouver.
With the team coming off a 60-59 loss to the T-Birds Friday (Nov. 5) and star point guard Maddy Gobeil sidelined by injury, the Cascades needed a gritty, clutch performance on the road to salvage the split. UFV’s squad dug deep, showcasing its high-end talent and depth in a marathon victory.
Tuchscherer was at her best when her team needed it the most.
With three minutes to play in regulation time and the Cascades clinging to a 45-44 lead, the sophomore forward hit a three-pointer and went three-of-four from the foul line to extend UFV’s lead to 51-46.
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Tuchscherer continued to cruise in the first overtime session, pouring in eight of the Cascades’ nine points in the frame. Up 59-53, UFV watched as UBC rallied to tie it 60-60 and force a second overtime.
It was there that the Cascades finally disposed of the pesky T-Birds. Tuchscherer scored six points, rookie guard Google Sidhu contributed a huge three-pointer, and UBC was out of comebacks.
It was a true superstar performance from Tuchscherer. Over the last 13 minutes of the game (three minutes of regulation plus two five-minute OT periods), the G.W. Graham grad poured in 20 points.
“I was really proud of Deanna tonight,” said UFV coach Al Tuchscherer. “By her standards, she’s been struggling a little bit for the better part of the season. She just doesn’t have a lot of flow in her game, but I thought she just really put us on her back late in the game and in the overtimes. It was great to see her demanding the ball, wanting the ball in those key situations.”
The Cascades, who emerge from a wild weekend leading the West Division at 3-1, return to their home court next week to face the Thompson Rivers WolfPack in a Friday-Saturday series.