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Cascades climbing in Canada West standings

The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades bounced Calgary and Lethbridge in Canada West women's basketball action.

The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women's basketball team kept their home record unblemished (6-0) with a 64-56 win over the visiting Lethbridge Pronghorns Saturday night at the Envision Athletic Centre in Abbotsford.

In the process, UFV improved their overall record to 7-3, good for a share of first place in the Canada West division.

The Pronghorns started strong and held a four point lead through one quarter. But the Cascades turned up the D in the second quarter, holding Lethbridge to seven points. UFV held a 36-27 advantage at the break and prevented the Pronghorns from making any serious inroads in the second half.

“Lethbridge came out hard tonight and we were fortunate to escape the game with a win,” said Cascades coach Al Tuchscherer. “But sometimes you need to win ugly and fortunately we got it done tonight. With the 18 game schedule, every win is so important. We’ll take it and start getting ready for a tough test in Victoria next week.”

Winnipeg native Tessa Klassen led UFV in scoring with 24 points. Chilliwack's Sarah Wierks added 12 points and 13 boards as the Cascades out-rebounded Lethbridge 44-27.

— The UFV women started the weekend on the right note Friday night, downing the University of Calgary at home. The Cascades scored 22 points in each quarter, led by Klassen and Mission's Aieisha Luyken, both with 26 points.

Wierks added 13 points and 13 boards.

UFV travels to Victoria this weekend to face the Vikes in two critical West Division games. With first to fourth place in the Canada West standings still unsettled, each conference game has a large meaning down the stretch.

Get full standings online at www.canadawest.org.