The weekend’s wins lock WBB into second place in Canada West’s Pacific Division with a record of 13-5, assuring them play-off dates at home this postseason. MBB also clinched a play-off berth and currently sit at 9-9 on the year, good for fifth in the Pacific, and setting up a massive final weekend against the Trinity Western Spartans to determine play-off seeding.
In typical fashion, Maddy Gobeil led the way for the Cascades with 23 Points (PTS), seven Rebounds (REB) and three Steals (STL) on Friday night. Gobeil would be the game’s leading scorer, shooting 8-for-16 from the field and 4-for-8 from Three-Point (3PT) range. UFV also received notable contributions from fellow starters Esther Allison and Julia Tuchscherer, both playing more than 20+ minutes. Allison finished the night with 13 PTS and 5 REB, while Tuchscherer piled up 12 PTS, 13 REB, 4 Assists (A), and 2 Blocks (BLK).
Gobeil went on to record 20 PTS, 3 REB, and 4 STL on Saturday, while Bernie Leda stepped up big with a career high 22 PTS, along with 3 REB and 3 STL. Leda’s shot selection was incredibly effective, shooting 7-for-12 from the field and 3-for-5 from downtown. Julia Tuchsherer had another solid game, racking up 14 PTS, 8 REB, and 3 STL, securing the team’s second victory in as many days.
Dario Lopez played a team high 28 Minutes (MIN) for the Cascades on Friday night, filling the stat sheet with 25 PTS, 12 REB, and 2 A, while shooting an efficient 10-for-16 from the field. Takeshi Croke provided his usual leadership scoring 5 PTS on 2-for-4 shooting from the field, dishing 5 A and collecting 4 REB.
UFV followed up on Saturday with a layered attack, as five players reached double figures in scoring. First-year guard Dilveer Randhawa scored a team high 20 PTS off the bench, while Lopez notched a monster 13 PTS – 13 REB performance. Croke, Ismael Hernandez, and Matthias Klim also reached double digits in points.
The Timberwolves WBB and MBB teams dropped to sixth and seventh in Canada West, respectively.
The Cascades compete next against the TWU Spartans on Feb. 14 and 15 at the UFV Athletic Centre in Abbotsford. Both of TWU’s basketball teams rank fourth in their respective Pacific Divisions. UFV’s MBB would leapfrog TWU with a pair of victories, increasing the stakes all the more.
Feb. 15 is Cascades Senior Night, recognizing Gobeil, Nikki Cabuco, and Deanna Tuchsherer, as well as Croke and Jake Willemsen as the veterans play their final regular season home games of their careers. Don’t miss what is surely to be a thrilling night of basketball and a last chance to see some tremendous athletes.
