Two of the best guards in Canada West women’s basketball will go head-to-head tonight when first team all-star Maddy Gobeil and the UFV Cascades take on CW player of the year Jade Belmore and the Regina Cougars.
The Cascades (17-3) and Cougars (15-5) clash inside the UFV Athletic Centre tonight (Thursday) at 6 p.m.
Gobeil had an outstanding season, finishing second in CW in points per game (17.7) and steals (3.3), sixth in field goal percentage (.482), 11th in assists (3.3), 14th in three-point percentage (.329) and 25th in rebounds (5.8).
Belmore was the top scorer in the conference and averaged 18.3 points per game. She was also 13th in rebounds (7.6), 14th in assists (3.1) and 16th in field goal percentage (.427).
The pair did face off twice this season in Regina, with the Cascades winning 79-72 on Nov. 24 and the Cougars winning 78-76 in overtime on Nov. 25.
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Gobeil outplayed Belmore in the first meeting this season, as she scored 18 points to just 11 for the CW player of the year. Belmore struggled from the field against UFV on Nov. 24, making just three of 17 shots. Gobeil also collected three steals, shot six of 13 from the field and grabbed seven rebounds. Belmore snagged eight rebounds of her own.
The game saw the Cascades trail 36-33 at halftime, but then take the game over in the second half. UFV’s Deanna Tuchscherer was the top performer on Nov. 24 with 19 points.
The Nov. 25 game was UFV’s first loss on the season after opening the campaign with seven consecutive wins.
The Cascades led by three in the final minute until Regina’s Eden Wells hit the first of her two free throws with eight seconds to go. Wells missed the second, but Brenna Metz kept it alive, and Belmore grabbed the rebound following Metz’s miss and was fouled herself. Belmore calmly stepped up and drained two free throws to send the game to overtime.
Belmore also made two clutch free throws in overtime with 4.1 seconds left to seal the win for Regina.
Gobeil had a strong game with 23 points and 10 rebounds, but did commit five turnovers. She also made just two of 11 three-point shots. Belmore had an outstanding game with 31 points on nine of 16 shooting, 12 rebounds and four steals.
The Cascades enter tonight’s game after receiving a first round bye, while the Cougars had a dominating 71-45 win over the Manitoba Bisons on Wednesday (Feb. 21). Belmore had 22 points and four rebounds in the win.
UFV last played Regina back on Feb. 8, 2020, with UFV earning a 74-65 win. Belmore was not on the Cougars roster, but Gobeil was in the midst of her rookie season and scored seven points.
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