KAMLOOPS – The Thompson Rivers WolfPack women's basketball team was unable to piece together a victory Friday night as they were defeated 71-45 by the University of Victoria Vikes inside the TCC.
 
Kelsey Cruz finished the night with a team-high 11 points, shooting over 66 per cent beyond-the-arc and draining all four of her free throw opportunities. Makeba Taylor pitched in with eight points, while Josie Mackie and Elana Sireni drained seven each.
 
Ashlyn Day had a game high 17 points. Both Kate Johnson and Mimi Sigue narrowly missed collecting a double-double. Johnson finished the night with 10 points and nine rebounds while Sigue had nine points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Vikes started out hot, getting out to a 9-2 lead within the first four minutes. From there, the WolfPack slowly closed the gap. Led by Mackie and Nya Derkach who had five and four points in the quarter, the WolfPack were able to close the gap to within one. Steady scoring from both teams sent the Vikes into the second quarter with a 22-15 lead.
 
The momentum shifted in favour of the Vikes as they scored the first 10 points of the second quarter. The 'Pack hit two huge three-pointers but were unable to keep up with the UVic. Finding offence through Day who had six points in the quarter, the Vikes continued to apply the pressure.
 
Brooke Kendal and Tegan McKinnon came to life for the Vikes in the third quarter, draining eight and six points, respectively, with Kendal shooting at an 80 per cent conversion rate. The 'Pack kept pushing as five different players got on the board; three of whom drained a three-pointer.
 
The game finished off with a low-scoring quarter. Taylor had the only four points of the quarter for the first six minutes for TRU. Brooklyn Walbaum came into the game and hit five points as the Vikes were able to see out the victory.
 
The two teams will face off again tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. PST inside the TCC.