EDMONTON - Claire Signatovich scored a game-high 24 points as the Pandas won a third-straight 79-64 victory over the UBCO Heat, a game that featured an astonishing 28-0 scoring run from Alberta.
She was helped by Panda rookie Kiah Easton-Ihediohanma who finished with 15 points to go with three triples and two rebounds.
UBCO was paced by fourth-year guard Sofia Ainsa Lluch who finished with 23 points.
The victory moves Alberta to 8-2 in Canada West play this season, while the Heat drop to 6-6 with their third-straight loss.
Both teams found their 2022 form in the first quarter, starting the game combining to go eight for their first 11 from the field. Second-year UBCO forward Abby Smith was a revelation in the paint, scoring a quarter-high seven points all of which coming from inside the key. The Heat pulled away late on the back of an 8-2 run that led them into the second quarter with a 27-19 advantage. The Pandas depth scoring was impressive in the frame, boasting seven different scorers.
The Heat did not stop there, opening the second on a 7-2 run that forced an early Pandas timeout. However, a 12-point margin quickly fell to a four-point deficit for UBCO as Alberta's Easton-Ihediohanma and Signatovich spearheaded an impressive 16-0 run to finish off the quarter. Signatovich led the quarter in scoring with six.
At the half, the Pandas led the Heat 38-34 and finished with a 44.1% mark from the field. What was remarkable was the defensive intensity from head coach Scott Edwards' side; Alberta held UBCO to just 3/16 shooting in the second quarter. Heat guard Ainsa Lluch led all scorers at the break with 11, while the Pandas were paced by Claire Signatovich with eight of her own.
If a 16-0 run was not enough, how about adding 12 straight to open the second half for a presumptive season-high 27-0 combined scoring run. Signatovich was again a leader for the Pandas, scoring a frame-high 10 points. Alberta finished the quarter shooting 55% from the field, including hitting three shots from beyond the arc. The Pandas entered the final quarter with a 63-47 lead.
The Heat would have some fight left in them, outscoring the Pandas 17-16 in the fourth quarter but ultimately could not fight back from the disastrous Alberta run. Ainsa Lluch led all scorers in the frame with seven, but Alberta would cruise to a 79-64 victory.
The Pandas head to Langley for a two-game set against the Trinity Western Spartans (8-3) next weekend, while the Heat return to The Furnace for a home matchup against the 4-5 MRU Cougars.
