The Thompson Rivers WolfPack women's basketball team was unable to get the offence firing in a. 80-45 loss at the hands of the UBC Thunderbirds inside War Memorial Gym.
Megan Rouault led the WolfPack with 11 points and six rebounds, while
Priyanca Sundher had nine points with three boards as TRU fall to 1-11 on the regular season.
Emily Martindale had a team-high 20 points for UBC, and Hailey Counsell racked up 15 points with five steals as the 'Birds capitalized on TRU's 26 turnovers – while dominating the paint. Fourth year forward Madison Legault had seven points in her first game back from injury for the T-Birds and Olivia Weekes tallied 13 points with nine rebounds and three steals in the win.
The Thunderbirds stormed out to an early lead as Weekes scored two buckets in the first two minutes and Kate Johnson put the 'Birds up 8-2 with a steal and a layup. TRU tied it up midway through the frame, but Martindale drained a short jumper to retake the lead and Dina Strujic put the T-Birds up 18-10 to finish the first quarter.
UBC's defence came up big in the second quarter – holding the WolfPack to just six points in the frame, and Counsell dropped three triples to solidify a 33-16 lead at the half.
Martindale opened the third quarter with another jumper and Strujic earned a steal and a score for a 37-16 cushion as UBC's strength on the defensive end continued to shine. TRU got on the board with a pair of
Elana Sireni free throws with just under five minutes remaining in the third at 46-18 'Birds, but the home team carried a 56-20 lead into the final frame.
Sundher nailed a three to open the fourth for the WolfPack and made a layup moments later, as the first-year guard from Surrey, B.C. scored all nine of her points in the final quarter.
The two teams will rematch in War Memorial Gym on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. (PT).
