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Cascades sweep UNBC basketball teams

Pair of big wins for men’s, women’s teams on home court
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The Cascades Sukhman Sandhu and Sukhjot Bains clog the lane defensively against UNBC on Saturday. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)

The UFV Cascades men’s and women’s basketball teams dominated on home court last weekend, and look to extend their extended win streaks in Kelowna on Friday and Saturday.

The men are now riding a five-game win streak after a pair of strong wins over the UNBC Timberwolves.

Balanced scoring told the tale in the Cascades’ 81-62 win over the Wolves on Nov. 23.

Five players hit double figures and UFV’s defence held UNBC to 30.9 per cent shooting. The first half saw the Cascades lead 38-20 and limit the Timberwolves to just 22.22 per cent shooting.

Sukhjot Bains collected a double-double, with a team-high 16 points and 11 rebounds, with Andrew Morris (15), Mark Johnson (13), Vick Toor (13) and Parm Bains (10) all contributing big offensively. Sukhman Sandhu added an impressive four blocks.

“We shared the ball really well,” UFV head coach Adam Friesen said. “For us to be successful, we need to have as many threats on the floor as possible at all times and have everybody looking to be aggressive when their opportunity arises.”

The next day the Cascades controlled the glass to lead to an 85-79 win over UNBC on Nov. 24.

UFV out-rebounded the Timberwolves 52-34 in the victory, which saw the men trail 44-41 at the half.

Sandhu was on fire from the floor, making five of nine three-point shot attempts to lead the Cascades with 22 points. Bains added 19 points and five assists, with Mark Johnson grabbing 13 boards and scoring 12 points.

The pair of wins improves the team’s record to 6-4, and UFV is tied for fourth in Canada West.

The women also had a pair of big wins over UNBC, and have now won three of their last four.

The Timberwolves entered the game on Nov. 23 ranked first in Canada West, but led by Taylor Claggett and the emerging Madeline Beerwald, the Cascades posted a 72-66 win.

Claggett had a team-high 28 points and six rebounds, while Beerwald, making her first career start with UFV, added 11 points and played strong defence. Guard Amanda Thompson also had a solid game with 12 points.

“UNBC is a very strong opponent, and they’re having a great season,” Cascades head coach Al Tuchscherer said. “For us, we’ve been close a few times this season, and to get a quality win against a quality opponent is something our team really needed.”

The coming-out party continued for the women on Nov. 24, as the Cascades again edged the Wolves 74-71.

Claggett was again the star, collecting 25 points and 11 rebounds. Katelyn Mallette also had an efficient game, with 15 points in just 12 minutes of action.

Tuchscherer said the performances against UNBC were big for his team.

“It was a big step for our team – believing in ourselves, believing in the work we’ve put in, and believing in each other,” he said. “You could see it on the court – sharing the ball, being there for each other defensively. I’m proud of them.”

The women now improve to 5-5 on the season and sit tied for ninth in Canada West.

Both the men and the women close out 2018 with games against the UBCO Heat in Kelowna on Friday and Saturday. The next home game for the teams occurs on Jan. 4, when the Brandon Bobcats come to town.

For more on the teams, visit gocascades.ca.