Timberwolves vs Cascades: Women's Basketball Playoffs Preview

Women's Basketball
February 16, 2023

UNBC Women’s Basketball vs UFV Cascades
Friday, February 17th, 2023 @ 11 AM PT

UNBC Timberwolves (8-12)
12th in CW Standings
67.8 Points Scored Per Game (12th)
70.1 Points Allowed Per Game (11th)
Scoring Leader: Alina Shakirova (17.6 Per Game)
Rebounding Leader: Sveta Boykova (11.0 Per Game)
Assists Leader: Sarah Kuklisin (4.0 Per Game)
Steals Leader: Alina Shakirova (2.2 Per Game)
Blocks Leader: Olivia Wilson (1.0 Per Game)

Player To Watch: Sveta Boykova, F
11.5 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.9 BPG
Averaging 19.2 points and 13 rebounds per game over her last five games, Sveta Boykova has found her game at the offensive and defensive end. The second-year product of Moscow his crucial to the Timberwolves gameplan, with the ability to serve as an offensive hub as oppositions look to limit her teammate Alina Shakirova. Boykova will have her hands full with the three-headed post combination of Deanna Tuchscherer, Natalie Rathler, and Julia Tuchscherer, but her ability to assert herself is important to UNBC’s success in round one of the conference playoffs.

UFV Cascades (14-6)
5th in CW Standings
72.8 Points Scored Per Game (6th)
59.5 Points Allowed Per Game (1st)
Scoring Leader: Maddy Gobeil (18.1 Per Game)
Rebounding Leader: Julia Tuchscherer (7.3 Per Game)
Assists Leader: Julia Tuchscherer (3.6 Pre Game)
Steals Leader: Maddy Gobeil (2.8 Per Game)
Blocks Leader: Julia Tuchscherer (1.9 Per Game)

Player To Watch: Maddy Gobeil, G
18.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.9 APG, 2.8 SPG
Every year, Maddy Gobeil’s game takes a big step forward. Coming off a sophomore season that saw her recognized as a Canada West 3rd Team All-Star, the Kamloops product has emerged as UFV’s go-to scorer and ballhandler, while using her frame and IQ to play a big role on the defensive end. Averaging a career-high 18.1 points per game, Gobeil led the conference with a blistering 44.9% from beyond the arc, while nearly averaging 50% from the field. The Timberwolves will need to limit her ability to score in transition, and stay glued to her all the way out to three-point range.