Abbotsford, BC…..The KPU Eagles women’s basketball team had a strong start to the 2014/15 PACWEST CCAA season on Friday, October 31st as they defeated the Columbia Bible College (CBC) Bearcats 63-43 on the road in Abbotsford, BC. The Eagles record is now 1-0 as they return home to the Eagles’ Nest in Surrey, BC for their home opener weekend November 7th and 8th.
Opening Day proved to be a good test for the Eagles squad after experiencing changes to their roster between their final pre-season exhibition game on Friday, October 17th and the start of the regular season. The team had to re-evaluate their game plan, but are fortunate to have strong veteran leadership from their third, fourth, and fifth-year Eagle players.
In Friday's game KPU struggled to find their stride, but tied the Bearcats at 11 after the first quarter. The second quarter saw the Eagles start to gain some offensive momentum. The lead only changed twice in the first half, but the Eagles developed a five-point lead to carry them into halftime, 24-19.
First half statistics showed KPU first-year point guard Amelia Worrell, Liberia, Costa Rica leading her team in scoring. Worrell was successful in three of five field goals and two of three free throws for eight points. Eagles fourth-year guard Christina Brown, Langley, BC had five points and first-year guard Ana Moroziuk, Penticton, BC had four points. Fifth-year post Samantha McPhail, Vancouver, BC led the half with five total rebounds followed by teammate third-year KPU forward Amber Kavanagh, Langley, BC who pulled down four. The Eagles shot 67% from the line in the first half.
The leading scorers for the Bearcats at the half were first-year guard Harvina Kaler and second-year centre Skyer Sealey, both of Abbotsford, BC, with five points each. The Bearcats shot 33% from the line.
It was hard work, stronger communication on the court, and consistent follow-through that helped put KPU back on track in the second half. The third quarter saw the Eagles take control of the ball and would ultimately set the tone for the rest of the game as they out-shot the Bearcats 24-11 to widen their lead by 18 points, 48-30. CBC fought back in the fourth quarter, scoring 13 points to KPU’s 15. Ultimately the Bearcats were unable to overcome the Eagles’ strong third quarter as the final score was 63-43 in favour of KPU.
Second-year Eagles guard Shilpa Khanna, Surrey, BC led the team in scoring for the night with 14 points which included two of three three-point shots and six of nine free throws. Other KPU scoring leaders at the final buzzer included Worrell with 11 points and third-year guard Haeley Williams, Maple Ridge, BC with nine points. Kavanagh ended the game with seven total rebounds while McPhail had six.
Bearcats second-year forward Sarah Rozendal, Saanichton, BC, led her team in scoring for the night with 12 points. Kaler ended the night with 11. CBC third-year shooting guard Tamara Larson, Harrow, ON led with 12 rebounds, followed by Sealey with six. The Bearcats shot 67% from the line in the second half.
“We have to gel as a team now after a lot of change since the preseason. The first-half we felt our way through some trouble and came around in the second,” noted Eagles Head Coach Dan Nayebzadeh, “We were positive with ourselves and when we do that we play better. It really is about the process, we can’t worry about results we just have to focus on the next play. I’m proud of the hard work the team put forth and look forward to the rest of the season.”
Scoring:
KPU 11 13 24 15 = 63
CBC 11 8 11 13 = 43
Team Rebounds:
KPU: 21+24=45/CBC: 33+19=52
The KPU Eagles women and men’s basketball programs will host a Food Drive in their first four home games in support of the Surrey Food Bank. Admission is no charge when fans bring a non-perishable food item as a donation. Please note that no cash donations will be accepted in lieu of admission.
- November 7th versus Capilano University Blues
6:00pm women’s game, 8:00pm men’s game - November 8th versus Quest University Canada Kermodes
6:00pm women’s game, 8:00pm men’s game - November 21st versus Camosun College Chargers
6:00pm women’s game, 8:00pm men’s game - November 22nd versus VIU Mariners
1:00pm women’s game, 3:00pm men’s game
For more information on the Department of Athletics & Recreation, please contact Junelle Mah, sports information and marketing, at 604-786-0804 or at junelle.mah@kpu.ca.
The KPU Eagles Department of Athletics & Recreation enters its 14th season of interuniversity competition. The Eagles are members of the PACWEST conference and play in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with 100 student-athletes participating on eight varsity teams in men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, badminton and golf. KPU athletics plays its home games at the Eagles’ Nest (Surrey Campus), Northview Golf & Country Club, Newton Athletic Park, all located in Surrey, BC and the Ace Badminton Centre in Richmond, BC. The Eagles are active in the conference with staff members on various advisory committees and competing to host both provincial and national championships. The student-athletes are mainly from the lower mainland but KPU’s rosters have included student-athletes from North America, South America, Asia and Europe.
Follow the Eagles on Twitter @KPU Eagles, on Facebook www.facebook.com/KPUEagles, or on our website www.kpu.ca/eagles.