KAMLOOPS – The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women's basketball team pushed the division-leading Trinity Western Spartans to the brink but were unable to pull off the upset in an 83-80 loss inside the Tournament Capital Centre.
 
Trailing by 17 points heading into the fourth frame, the WolfPack poured in 30 points in the final quarter, buoyed by 13 from Elana Sireni. On fire in the fourth, shooting 45 per cent as a team and going 4-9 from beyond-the-arc, the 'Pack cut the lead all the way down to two points with 12 seconds to go thanks to a pair of free throws from Jessica Orr but were unable to complete the comeback.
 
Sireni, a first-year forward from Surrey, had a team-high 24 points. Kamloops product Orr added 16 of her own while Kelsey Cruz finished the night 15 points and six offensive rebounds.
 
Kianna Wiens had 24 points and nine rebounds for the Spartans. Jolene Vlieg chipped in with 14 while Nicole Fransson scored 10 points and pulled down a ridiculous 18 boards.
 
The result moves the WolfPack to 1-8 on the season while the Spartans remain perfect with a record of 7-0.
 
The tale of the game came on the glass. The Spartans grabbed 50 rebounds to the WolfPack's 37, including 24 offensive boards that led to 17 second chance points.
 
These teams will be back in action tomorrow afternoon when they meet inside the Tournament Capital Centre with a scheduled start time of 3 p.m.
 
A 50 per cent capacity limit is in place in the TCC, proof of vaccination for fans 12-and-over is required and masks are mandatory.