MONTREAL – The Trinity Western Spartans kicked off their Quebec tour with an impressive 82-77 overtime win over host University of Quebec at Montreal Citadins Thursday night in Montreal. Jolene Vlieg (Leduc, Alta.) with 28 points, Nicole Fransson (Edmonton) with 13 points, and Sydney Bradshaw (Langley, B.C.) with 12 points led the Spartan attack.
 
The Spartans, who trailed 22-20 after the opening quarter, found themselves down by 11 points, 46-25, at the half-time break. TWU started the second half with a 10-0 run which put them up 56-54 after 30 minutes.
 
The Spartans led by two points, 71-69, with the clock winding down, but a foul and two made free throws allowed UQAM to tie the game and send it into overtime. TWU's Jayden Gill (Abbotsford, B.C.) almost won the game in regulation, but her alley-oop just missed and the score remained tied at 71-71 after 40 minutes. The Spartans were the better of the two teams as they outscored the Citadins 11-6 in overtime to win the game 82-77.
 
QUOTABLE
TWU Head Coach Cheryl Jean-Paul
"One of the elements we knew we would face this weekend is the physicality of the Quebec teams and despite a slow start; we showed some gritty play to finish the game ahead. Our defensive energy is what got things going for us and directly contributed to our run to start the second half."
 
"We are still battling the tendency to keep things close, missed easy takes and turnovers not allowing us to break open the game. But it was great to see the defensive leadership that Jayden brings and the offensive toolkit that Jolene displayed and how that will support our ability to finish games strong once we get into league play."
 
UP NEXT
As part of their three game Quebec tour the Spartans will play the University of Toronto at Concordia University, with tip-off scheduled for 3 p.m. ET tomorrow afternoon.  Then on Saturday TWU will match up against the Concordia Stingers at Concordia University, also at 3 p.m. The Spartans open up Canada West play on Friday, November 4 when they head to Prince George, BC to face the UNBC Timberwolves for a two game weekend series.
 
About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 13 U SPORTS team championships and 32 Canada West team championships.
 
-TW-