The University of the Fraser Valley women’s basketball team scored silver at last week’s Canada West Final Four tournament, and will now play for a national title.
The Cascades faced the Saskatchewan Huskies in the gold-medal game, falling 67-56.
The match was decided in the third quarter, with Saskatchewan out-scoring the Cascades 21-12.
Canada West defensive player of the year Dalyce Emmerson led the Huskies. The six-foot-three monster in the paint blocked eight shots, pulled down 22 rebounds and drained 19 points.
The Cascades shot a paltry .265 from the field in the second half. Nataliia Gavryliuk led UFV with 21 points and eight rebounds. Chilliwack’s Sarah Wierks added 12 points and 10 boards, with sister Nicole Wierks added 10 points.
“It’s unfortunate we didn’t have enough in the tank tonight,” said UFV head coach Al Tuchscherer. “The girls are disappointed, but we are excited to head to Windsor next week and improve on last year’s showing.”
This was the first Canada West finals appearance for UFV, and they’ve secured a spot in the 2014 CIS Women’s Basketball Final Eight championship, starting Friday in Windsor.
Get more UFV information online at ufvcascades.ca