VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds already know they will travel to Alberta for their first round playoff series, and the Trinity Western Spartans already know their season will end this weekend, but plenty of pride will be up for grabs when these two rivals go head-to-head on Saturday, February 13 at War Memorial Gym (6:00 p.m.).
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A look at the Thunderbirds
The T-Birds couldn't hang on to a pair of fourth quarter leads last week against Victoria, and the two losses sunk their hopes of hosting a playoff series. Although this weekend's tilt with the Spartans won't affect their position in the standings, the 'Birds will be eager to end their four-game losing streak and finish the regular season on a high note.
The 70-point milestone appears to be the magic number for UBC this year. The T-Birds are 9-1 when they score at least 70 points in a game, and just 1-6 when they score 69 or less.
Zara Huntley and
Lia St. Pierre lead UBC's fourth-ranked offence with 13.9 points-per-game each. St. Pierre also sets the table for the UBC offence averaging 3.5 assists-per game, while Huntley patrols the post averaging 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks-per-game.
Alex Vieweg will be another key factor in the offence, as she averages 12.7 points-per-game.
Devan Lisson chips in 9.1 points, and
Candace Morisset rounds out the starters by contributing her team-leading 3.2 steals and 3.8 assists-per-game, which is good for second and seventh in the conference respectively. She also adds leadership and experience on the court as the team's only fifth-year player.
A look at the Spartans
The Spartans have enjoyed some recent success, winning three of their last four games heading into this weekend, but a seven-game losing streak in the middle of the season was too much to overcome in the playoff race.
At 5-12 and with just one more game on the schedule, the Spartans will be playing for bragging rights against their cross-town rivals. They split the season series with the 'Birds last year, and will be looking to do the same with a win this weekend.
The Spartans haven't had much luck putting points on the board this season. Their offence ranks second-last in the conference, averaging just under 60 points-per-game. Lauren Doubroff leads the effort with 15.1 points-per-game, and Emily Knauff chips in 11.3 points-per-game, but a lack of depth in their offence has hampered the Spartans this year. They have broken the 70-point barrier just three times all year.
Senior's Night - Saturday, February 13th
On Saturday the UBC Thunderbirds will honour a pair of graduating seniors in guard
Candace Morisset and post
Montanna Dunmore.
Morisset, a graduate of Brookswood Secondary in Langley, has become one of the top defensive stoppers in the conference during her five-year career with the T-Birds. A member of two CIS Championship squads, Morisset has played in every conference game since the 2007-08 season and tonight's game marks her 100th career conference game. This season she is averaging career highs in steals (3.2), rebounds (3.4), assists (3.8), and minutes (27.7).
Dunmore has been at UBC since the 2005-06 season and like Morisset, has been a member on a pair of Bronze Baby winning teams. The Victoria, BC native has started 19 conference games for the T-Birds over her career and is playing in her fourth full season after red-shirting her first year due to injury. This season she leads the T-Birds in field goal percentage (52.6%), a career-high, and is also averaging a career-best 3.8 boards per game.
Get into the 2010 Games
Come out this weekend for your chance to win tickets and "Get into the 2010 Games."
Road Closures on UBC Campus
The University is experiencing a number of road closures as a host site (Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre) for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Access to campus from 16th avenue is not available from February 4-24. Access to campus via 10th/University avenue or 4th avenue is available without restrictions. Parking on campus will be very busy during this time. North Parkade (adjacent to Gage Residence) is likely the best place to find parking on campus for T-Bird games at War Memorial Gym. Public transportation will also be busy but would be a viable alternative during this period of road closures. For complete details on UBC's road restrictions please see the
Road Restrictions Maps.
