Difficult weekend for women’s basketball
Bisons fall to Vikes, Thunderbirds
Ajitpaul Mangat, Staff
Photo by Majed J. W. Hargaaya
Hopes were high for the Bison women’s basketball team heading into Nov. 16 and 17’s games against the University of Victoria Vikes and University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, as they were hoping to build on a two-game sweep of the Brandon Bobcats.
But a difficult start to the opening game against the Vikes proved prophetic of things to come. After a seesaw first four minutes, the Vikes went on an 11-2 run, lead by six straight points from guard Ryan McKay. They would build on this run to end the opening quarter in the lead, 23-13.
Turnovers and difficulty guarding the Vikes’ three-point shooting were the Bisons’ undoing in the first half. The Vikes amassed a gaudy 20 points from turnovers, double the Bisons’ 10 points off turnovers. The three-point shooting difference was similarly one-sided, as the Bisons gave up 18 points behind the arc to the sharp-shooting Vikes while amassing only six points themselves via the deep ball.
“I didn’t think we reacted well to their three-point shooters. We did not close hard,” said head coach Pam Danis. “Anybody can hit shots. You have to make sure they do not get a clean look. In the first half they had far too many clean looks.”
Victoria went into halftime ahead by a comfortable 45-31 score, led by guard Kristen Hughes’ 16 points. Bisons guard Kayla Klassen led the home team with eight points.
The Bisons’ fortunes worsened in the third quarter, as the Vikes opened with another big run, netting 10 points to only one Bisons basket. Clicking on all cylinders, Victoria extended their lead to 68-49 heading into the final period.
With Victoria’s reserves in the game to rest their starters, the final quarter was the most even of the entire game. However, the Bisons could still not reduce the gap, with each team amassing 11 points in the quarter. The game ultimately ended 79-60. McKay led the Vikes with 27 points, scoring 15 in the second half.
Klassen, the only bright spot on the Bisons’ record, finished the game with an impressive 21 points.
“We weren’t consistent with our game plan. Victoria can really execute and do things that will hurt us. I thought at times that was our menace,” said Danis. “I thought Kayla Klassen had a very strong game. We needed her to do more of that.”
The second game, versus the nation’s No. 2-ranked Thunderbirds, was an even more one-sided affair.
The opening quarter was the tightest of the game, as a mixture of strong defence, and sloppy play led to a quarter marred with turnovers. After 10 minutes the Thunderbirds led by the slimmest of margins, 14-13.
The second quarter was arguably the worst of the Bisons’ young season, as they amassed only two points. UBC became more disciplined as the game progressed, but the Bisons’ poor play continued. Manitoba turned the ball over 12 times and had five shots blocked in the opening two quarters.
Heading into halftime, the Thunderbirds led 35-15. UBC forward Leanne Evans led all scorers with seven points.
The second half largely paralleled the first half, as the Thunderbirds employed strong defence and consistent offence to extend their lead over the Bisons. UBC’s defence was lead by post Zara Huntley, who finished the game with four blocks.
The visitors ultimately won the game, 78-44. UBC guard Erica McGuinness led all scorers with 17 points. Bisons post Melanie Schlichter led the home team with 10 points.
The Bisons (3-3) next head out to B.C. On Nov. 23, they will face the No. 1-ranked Simon Frasier University Clan. Then, on November 24, they will face the Trinity Western University Spartans.
UBC (7-1) next head home to face the University College of the Fraser Valley Cascades (3-5). Victoria (4-4) next head home to face the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack (0-8).
