Pilots Put Out Blazers In Home Opener

(NIVERVILLE) - Five Pilots scored in double-digits to help propel Providence to a 93-74 victory over CMU in MCAC women's basketball action on Friday night. Providence opened the first quarter scoring 21 points to the Blazers, 12. They tallied up 29 more in the second frame, to build a 50-33 halftime lead over the five-time defending MCAC Champions.

The performances of three players propelled the Pilots to victory. Rookie forward, Faith LaRocque (Niverville, MB) recorded 13 rebounds and 19 points in her debut in a Pilots uniform. The product of Winnipeg's Dakota Collegiate led the Pilots in points and tied veteran forward Anna Cushon (Oxbow, SK) for the team lead in rebounding.

The Pilots didn’t just stop there. Rookie guard, Adrian Alley (Wasilla, AK) recorded 13 points in her Pilots debut, a similar stat line to teammate, Kishi Rioferio (Estavan, SK). When it seemed like CMU was getting ready to close the gap, Rioferio, Alley, and LaRocque helped secure the first win in their team's home opene. LaRocque would dominate possession with an offensive outburst for eight points in short succession late in the third quarter. Rioferio wasn’t far behind, hitting two massive three-point shots to end the third. If it weren’t for the Pilots flying together, the fourth quarter would’ve been quite the nail-biter. However, the story was the Pilots owning a 14-point lead, 70-56. Opening the fourth quarter, Rioferio and Claire Grislis (Winnipeg, MB) combined for three consecutive three-point baskets. Feeding off the energy of a packed house, the Pilots kept their hands on the throttle, securing a 94-74 win.

Rioferio went 4 for 5 from beyond the arc and was a key player for the Pilots, adding 5 assists and 6 rebounds to the 12 points that she contributed to the Providence victory.

The rest is brief for both teams, as the league schedule has the two rivals tipping off in Winnipeg on Saturday night on the home court of the defending champions.