VANCOUVER - After a split to start their conference season, the Thunderbirds get their first look at a much-improved Trinity Western Spartans squad at War Memorial Gym this weekend. The T-Birds have achieved their highest CIS ranking since 2008-09 at No. 3, and will be looking to prove they deserve it in a rare Thursday tilt at 6 p.m., followed by game two on Ruth Wilson night on Saturday at 5 p.m., when the Ruth Wilson Memorial Award will be presented to this year's recipient in a post-game ceremony on the court.
No. 3 UBC Thunderbirds
2011 conference record: 1-1 (2nd, Pacific Division)
2011 CIS ranking: 3
Last week: beat Brandon 88-21, lost to Regina 77-66
Streak: 1 loss
Despite going 1-1 on opening weekend the T-Birds moved up in the CIS rankings to number three, thanks not only to a huge 88-21 win over Brandon to start the year, but also to a tough game against the No. 1 Regina Cougars that was closer than the 11-point scoreline indicated.
The 'Birds actually had a lead for most of the game against the nation's top team, but the Cougars came on strong in the second half to stay undefeated after week two.
Alex Vieweg recorded a double double in the loss, but none of the T-Birds were able to find their rhythm offensively. UBC shot 31 per cent from the field.
Zara Huntley has been the most consistent T-Bird offensively so far, averaging 16 points with a .500 shooting percentage, but the numbers don't mean much yet after just two contrasting games against very different opponents. Sophomore guard
Kris Young has looked good in her increased role as a starter. She bagged 18 points and seven assists against Brandon, and chipped in 12 points and five boards in the loss to Regina.
Trinity Western Spartans
2011 conference record: 2-2 (tied 1st, Pacific Division)
2011 CIS ranking: -
Last week: beat Winnipeg 71-60, lost to Manitoba 59-56
Streak: 1 loss
The Spartans have split both weekends to start their season, first against Victoria, then a win over Winnpieg followed by a loss to Manitoba. Laurelle Weigl is the big addition to a Spartans squad that went 3-21 last year. She is a three-time CIS champion centre formerly of the Simon Fraser Clan. She's averaging 11 points per game in three games so far this year.
Returning forward Holly Strom is leading the way with 14 points per game. Fellow returnee Tiffany Olsen is getting the bulk of the minutes in the paint so far, leading the team in rebounding while adding 13 points per game.
Like UBC, the Spartans are coming off a tough shooting performance in their last game though. Strom was just 4-for-14 in that game and was the only Spartan to crack double digits in scoring, but the team needs just one win to equal their total from last year already, so the 2-2 start is a good result for Trinity Western.
