Kamloops, BC—The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s basketball team has moved into first place in the Canada West Explorer Division. 

The WolfPack survived a monster performance from Sarah Wierks (fifth year, forward, Chilliwack, BC) and went on to beat the previously undefeated University of Fraser Valley Cascades 69-58 at the Tournament Capital Centre on Friday (November 21).

The result leaves both teams with 4-1 records.

“I thought defensively we turned things around in the third quarter limiting them to only seven points,” said WolfPack head coach Scott Reeves. “Sarah was outstanding.  She really challenged us in the first half. I thought she was on pace for 50 points. We did a little better in the second half. She is quite a handful. We tried to take her out of their offense and make other people make plays, that is easier said than done because they have other people that can make plays.”

Weirks had a game high 27 points and 20 rebounds (16 on defense).

“Sarah had a real nice game today,“ said Cascade coach Al Tuchscherer.  “She was playing with a lot of determination. That is what you expect your veterans to do.  You don’t expect them to get 20 rebounds in a game.  We went away from her in the third and maybe in the fourth quarter.  That wasn’t the best strategy for us.”

The WolfPack were led by Taiysa Worsfold (fourth year, guard, Kamloops, BC).  She was named the TRU Bookstore/McDonalds “Leader of the Pack” player of the game. She had 24 points.

“She hasn’t shot the ball particularly well the last couple of games,” Reeves says of Worsfold. “She would admit that. But she is doing so many other things right now.  Rebounding, guarding some of the other better players, getting out in transition, attacking the ball more and being more aggressive.  Some people think of her as just a three point shooter but she is doing other things right now.”

Kassie Colonna (third year, forward, Invermere, BC) had 14 points.  Michelle Bos, the Canada West Third Star of the Week, had another double double – 17 rebounds (12 on defense) and 12 points. She has had four double doubles in her first five CIS starts.

The only other player besides Wierks in double figures for Fraser Valley was Celeste Dyck (fifth year, guard, Abbotsford, BC) who had 12 points.

The two teams will battle again Saturday (November 22) at the Tournament Capital Centre. Tip off is 5 pm.