Kamloops, BC—The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack helped make the third annual National Basketball Coaches Day one to remember for Scott Reeves.

The WolfPack women downed the visiting University of Fraser Valley Cascades 72-70 in Canada West action Saturday (November 22) at the Tournament Capital Centre.  The victory was the team’s third in a row and raised their record to 5-1 and sole possession of first place in the Explorer Division.  UFV falls to 4-2.

Michelle Bos (first year, guard, Surrey, BC) hit a jump shot with 26.2 seconds left in regulation time to give the ‘Pack the victory. Bos had a team high 10 rebounds and eight points.

“I think we had to buckle down on the defensive end in the second half especially,” said Reeves. “We weren’t going to give up 80 points and expect to win. I was really proud of how we held them to 10 in the third quarter. That really turned the game.  I knew it was going to be a ‘grind it out’ affair and they weren’t going away.”

“It was an entertaining game to watch,” stated Fraser Valley coach Al Tuchscherer.  “There were some nice runs. They hit some big shots. I thought we answered with some stuff. They just managed to get a big one at the end. We couldn’t execute down the stretch.”

The WolfPack were led by Jorri Duxbury (fifth year, guard, Salmon Arm, BC) and Taiysa Worsfold (fourth year, forward, Kamloops, BC).  Both had 21 points.  Duxbury was named the TRU Bookstore/McDonalds “Leader of the Pack” player of the game.

“We have always had a rivalry with Fraser Valley,” Reeves explained. “We have always had close games.  It didn’t matter if they were ranked nationally or not, we have always had good, close ‘grind it out’ games. It has meant a lot to those two because they have been a part of it.”

The Cascades were led again by Sarah Wierks (fifth year, guard, Chilliwack, BC).  She had 25 points and 18 rebounds—13 on defense.

“Sarah had a really great weekend for us,” Tuchscherer said. “I was really proud of her. She is a star in Canada West and she played like that this weekend.”

Shayna Litman (third year, forward,Coquitlam, BC) had 15 points as well for Fraser Valley, who will host MacEwan University Griffins in Abbotsford, BC next weekend (November 28-29).

The WolfPack will close out the pre-Christmas portion of their Canada West season in Calgary next weekend (November 28-29) against the Mount Royal Cougars.  Says Reeves: “Mount Royal is very athletic. They can score too. We have to buckle down on our defense and not give up offensive boards.  Offensively, we are a little bit loose right now. We need to tighten up our cuts and we will get better looks.”

Thompson Rivers doesn’t have a home game until January 9, 2015 when they entertain the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat.  Tip off is 6 pm.