ABBOTSFORD, British Columbia– The Trinity Western Spartans had a tough matchup Friday night as they fell 74-44 to the Fraser Valley Cascades Friday night at the UFV athletic Centre in Abbotsford, B.C. The Spartans are in fourth spot in the Canada West Pacific Division at 10-9, while the Cascades are in second place at 14-5.
 
The Spartans trailed 36-27 at the half, and 57-35 after three quarters.
 
First-year guard Colette Van der Hoven (Maple Ridge, B.C.) with nine points, and three rebounds, fourth-year guard Shemaiah Abatayo (Vancouver, B.C.) with eight points and eight rebounds, and fourth-year forward Gracie Buchanan (Abbotsford, B.C.) with eight points, and three rebounds led the Spartans. Julia Tuchscherer with 18 points, and seven rebounds, and Maddy Gobeil with 16 points and four rebounds led the Cascades.
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans will finish the Canada West conference play tomorrow at 3 p.m. (PT) against the Cascades at the UFV Athletic Centre in Abbotsford, B.C. The game can be seen live on Canada West TV. The Spartans will begin the Canada West play-offs next weekend. Most likely in Saskatoon, Sask. against the Mount Royal Cougars.
 
QUOTABLE
TWU Head Coach Cheryl Jean-Paul
"Really tough game tonight. This match-up is always a physical battle and having to respond to that before the skill of the game can be talked about is a tough lesson for our group. We need to find our footing and realize that playing through this is a great opportunity to be a little bit more resilient heading into playoffs."
 
NOTABLE 

• The Spartans finished the night shooting 34.5 percent (19-55) from the field, 16.7 percent (2-12) from the three-point line, and 30.8 percent (4-13) from the foul line. The Cascades shot 43.5 percent (27-62), 38.1 percent (8-21), and 85.7 percent (12-14) respectively.
• The Cascades had a 44-34 edge in rebounding.
• UFV finished with nine steals to TWU's 10. The Spartans had 18 turnovers while the Cascades had 17.
• The Spartans are currently 13-23 lifetime against the Cascades.
• Last week the Spartans swept the UNBC Timberwolves 70-63, and 65-53 at the Langley Events Centre in Langley, B.C.
• The Cascades were off last week and are currently on a four-game winning streak.

 
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 14 U SPORTS team championships and 34 Canada West team championships.
 
About Trinity Western University
Recognized for quality, TWU has received seven consecutive A+ rankings for Quality of Teaching and Learning, holds three Canada Research Chairs, and wins national championships in U SPORTS. More importantly, lives are changed at TWU through its whole-person, Christ-centred approach to education. With a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree-completion programs, TWU equips leaders of character and competence to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
 
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