The UBC Okanagan Heat didn’t make the playoffs, but still provided some drama on their home court on the final weekend of the regular season.
The Heat earned a split with playoff-bound Fraser Valley, which included a nail-biting 64-62 victory Friday night over the Cascades.
Emily Kanester had a team-high 21 points for the Heat, while Chloe Kennedy, with 12, and Nicole Hart, 1o, also scored in double digits. Hart pulled down 12 rebounds to finish with a double-double.
On Saturday, the Heat said farewell to four players on Seniors Night, as Kennedy, Kanester, Claire Elliott and Olivia Johnson all played their final games for UBCO.
On the court, the Cascades prevailed 67-55. Three grads led the way for the hometown Heat—Elliott finished with a team-high 16 points, Chloe Kennedy had 15 points and a team-high eight rebounds, while Kanester had 12 points and two rebounds.
Kanester finished her career as the Heat program’s all-time leading scorer.
UBC Okanagan closed out the 2016-17 Canada West season with a 4-16 record.
Heat men…
A long and challenging season for the Heat men ended with a sweep at the hands of the Fraser Valley Cascades.
On Friday, UFV prevailed 87-72. Aldrich Berrios paced the Heat with 19 points and eight rebounds, while chipped in coming off the bench with 13 points.
Prior to Saturday’s game, the Heat honoured their two graduating seniors, Mitch Goodwin and Can Friesen.
The Cascades then defeated UBCO 85-78, clinching a playoff spot as the 10th seed.
Berrios again led the Heat with a game-high 24 points. for the Heat. Triston Matthews added 11 points and seven rebounds.
The Heat finished the 2016-17 Canada West season with a 2-18 record.