It's not the way the UNBC Timberwolves women would've liked to head into the Christmas break.
The T-wolves (3-7) are on a five-game losing streak after falling 92-70 to the Saskatchewan Huskies in front of about 240 fans at the Northern Sport Centre on Saturday night. The Huskies (5-5) were among five Canada West teams ranked in the Top 10 of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport rankings for the week of Nov. 27. Saskatchewan was ninth.
The T-wolves were led in scoring by their lone fifth-year player, forward Kady Dandeneau, with 21 points and seven rebounds while Sarah Robin added 14 points and Emily Kaehn had 10 points, seven boards.
Saskatchewan pulled away from the T-wolves in the second quarter out scoring them 27-9 to take a 51-33 point lead into the half. Kiera Lyons led the Huskies with 28 points while Dalyce Emmerson contributed a double-double with 16 points and 13 boards.
UNBC has 12 games left in their inaugural Canada West season, which includes six home dates. The T-wolves begin the second half of the season Jan. 11 against the number three ranked Regina Cougars (9-1) before heading east for a game with the Brandon Bobcats (0-10). UNBC also has trips to Abbotsford and Victoria to play the second-ranked Fraser Valley Cascades (9-1) and seventh-ranked Victoria Vikes (6-4).
Between road trips the T-wolves welcome the Winnipeg Wesmen (4-6) and Manitoba Bisons (2-8) to Prince George, Jan. 17 and 19, respectively. UNBC wraps up its regular season with a two weekend home stand when the UBC Thunderbirds (7-3) and Mount Royal Cougars (2-8) visit.
The T-wolves are ranked 11th out of 16 teams in scoring with 653 points for an average of 64.5 per game but they're at the bottom of the pack in points allowed having given up 759 for an average of 75.9 per game.
On an individual basis, the T-wolves have two players among the top 20 in scoring, starting with forward Mercedes Van Koughnett, tied for 10th with 153 points in 10 games including 47 field goals and 19 three-pointers. Emily Kaehn comes in 20th having notched 124 points (51 field goals, 22 free throws) over 10 games.
Diane Schuetze of Thompson Rivers University leads all women with 196 points (77 field goals, 42 free throws) over 10 games. Schuetze also leads in rebounds with 113 while Van Koughnett is third with 87 and Kaehn is sixth with 80. Huskies forward Emmerson is ranked third in points with 185 and second in rebounds with 93.
The women are ranked fifth for attendance at their games with an average of 467 fans. The league average for the 16 teams is 392. The Alberta Pandas lead the way with an average of 962 fans per game while the Brandon Bobcats are last with 108.
