The UBC women’s basketball team swept the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat with blowout wins 95–53 on Friday and 106–47 on Saturday in their last home weekend at War Memorial Gym.
On Friday, the T-Birds started out strong, getting the lead right away. In the sixth and seventh minutes, Jessica Clarke and Mona Berlitz worked in tandem, lighting it up in the post for a basket and assist each on back-to-back plays.
In the 15th minute, Berlitz grabbed a rebound and passed it up to Emily Martindale, who made a big corner three. Martindale made another three in the last minute sending the T-Birds into halftime up 64–31.
“I felt like my team had my back and we stayed composed,” said Berlitz. “I felt like we played really good team basketball, especially in the first half.”
In the third quarter, UBC's commanding play continued. Their defence was strong, adding to the game total of 20 steals and 36 points off turnovers. They ended the quarter 78–36 and showed no signs of slowing down. Their offence continued with a 46.7 field goal percentage compared to UBCO’s 26.7, and the Heat could not close the gap. The game ended 95–53 in a well-deserved UBC win.
Friday’s game also celebrated National Girls and Women in Sports Day, which was particularly special to this team.
“When I was growing up, I always looked up to women playing sports and now being in the role of knowing that there are little girls also looking up to us that means a lot to me,” said Berlitz, who led the team in points that night.
Saturday was the ‘Birds senior night game honouring this year’s three graduating players: Martindale, Clarke and Katrina Fink.
In the first half, UBC looked just as sharp as Friday, gaining the lead right away once again. In the fifth minute, Keira Daly sent a strategic bounce pass through the middle to find Olivia Weekes who made a big reverse layup putting UBC up 10–0. They kept their foot on the gas and at half, UBC was up 57–28 and it already looked like another blowout win.
The T-Birds remained steady offensively, hitting 45.9 per cent of their field goals and 75 per cent of free throws in the second half. In the 24th minute, Weekes was fouled on a layup but made the basket and the free throw for a thrilling three-point play. In the 38th minute, Nicole Daly made yet another three-pointer for the ‘Birds. UBC won 106–47, earning over 100 points in a game for the first time in 5 years.
Both games saw a UBC full team effort with five players scoring double digits in each game, showing the depth of the team. After the weekend sweep, the Thunderbirds officially clinched first in the Canada West pacific division and earned the second seed in the playoffs.
“It's just really exciting to get it done. It was something we had our sights set on, but the more important sights are on playoffs and what happens there,” said head coach Isabel Ormond. “So it doesn't feel like the job has stopped at all.”
Next, UBC plays the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves on February 14 and 15 in Prince George for their last two games of the regular season.
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