VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds are heading out to the Prairies this weekend for games against the Saskatchewan Huskies and the Alberta Pandas.
Both games will be streamed with live statistics on
CanadaWest.tv.
GAME TIMES
Friday, Nov. 23 - No. 10 UBC at No. 9 Saskatchewan (4 p.m. Pacific at Physical Activity Complex, Saskatoon)
Saturday, Nov. 24 - No. 10 UBC at Alberta (4 p.m. Pacific at Saville Community Sports Centre, Edmonton)
No. 10 UBC Thunderbirds (4-2)
Last Week: L 76-48, L 88-82 vs. No. 2 UFV Cascades
After they edged the Thompson Rivers WolfPack twice during their home-opening weekend, the Thunderbirds were unable to keep their perfect record intact last weekend, dropping both games against the UFV Cascades. A second half meltdown had them blown out by nearly 30 points on Friday night, but they came back on Saturday night with their heads held high and their heart and toughness on full display as they took the aggressive Cascades into a double overtime battle.
While at the end of the day they still gave up two home losses over the weekend, the latter had to have felt somewhat like a victory for the Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds looked infinitely more confident and composed on Saturday night. And if they can get over the heartbreak of losing a game in which they fought so hard to win, this is the type of game experience that can really bring a team together, exactly what this young squad needs to start building the chemistry that the Cascades made look so easy.
As she so often does, UBC's go-to player,
Kris Young (North Vancouver, BC), led her team in scoring in both games. She looked as dominant as ever on Saturday night despite getting elbowed to the forehead just minutes in and needing the rest of the first quarter to stop the bleeding. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the goose egg on forehead looked like it was about to split open, and she ended up needing five stitches. But that didn't stop her from taking over the game and going off for 17 points in the last quarter and the first overtime. She finished with 26 points and nine rebounds.
With her ability to both get inside the paint and hit outside jumpers, Young is central to UBC's offense and she creates a lot of opportunities for her teammates. But having other players who can complement this or carry the scoring load when she cannot will be the key to the team's success moving forward.
When Young was stuck on the bench in the first attending to the bleeding, second-year forward
Adrienne Parkin (Vancouver, BC) stepped up and helped get UBC off to a four-point lead. She hustled right from tip-off and barely got to sit down all night, logging 43 minutes of playing time and going up strong for eight boards and eight points.
Fifth-year centre
Leigh Stansfield (Victoria, BC) was another big inside presence for the Thunderbirds, attacking the basket and drawing fouls. She hit 11 of 16 free throws and had 19 points before she fouled out in the first overtime.
With rebounding-machine and number two scorer Tori Spangehl (White Rock, BC) sidelined for the time being due to a knee injury, Stansfield will be not only be relied upon for additional baskets and boards, but also for her veteran leadership, especially while on the road this weekend.
Another player who has seen her minutes increase and is emerging as a leader is third-year guard
Alyssa Binns. Playing through obvious pain, her toughness and composure sets a tone that can keep her team in games. She's a smooth shooter averaging nearly nine points a game and is perfect from the line so far this season. Leaving her open beyond the arch is dangerous for opposing teams, so getting her involved and in rhythm early on would help the Thunderbirds draw the defense out and create more room inside.
That job will be up to point guards
Cassandra Knievel (Nanaimo, BC) and
Maggie Sundberg (Mansfield, CT), who will look to push the pace and get the ball moving while keeping things organized out on the floor. Both of them can hit the three-ball as well, although must be careful not to let the clock tick down and force up desperation shots. Quality looks for these two could be the game-changer.
No. 9 Saskatchewan Huskies (2-4)
Last Week: L 73-71, L 68-66 vs. Calgary Dinos
The Huskies came up two points short in both their games at home last weekend. Despite that they've now dropped to 2-4 on the season, they lost just two spots in the CIS rankings, moving down to number nine this week. Perhaps this was because their opponents, the Calgary Dinos, are sitting at 6-0 and have the best offense in the conference.
After dropping the first game on Friday night, the Huskies went into the fourth quarter with a six point lead on Saturday night, but they allowed the Dinos to go off on an 9-0 run. The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the game, so the Huskies were unable to pull ahead again. Dalyce Emmerson (Prince Albert, SK) led both games with 26 and 23 points. The reigning Canada West Rookie of the Year is averaging a team-best 18.7 points and 8.2 per game so far this season while shooting close to 60% from the field. She's consistent at the line too, making 25 of her 29 attempts. The Thunderbirds will need to find a way to minimize her effectiveness, but also have to keep veteran guard Kiera Lyons (Ryley, AB) under wraps. She's a less efficient in her shooting, but she's still averaging 13.3 points and 5.7 boards.
The Thunderbirds will also want to make sure to box out Kelsey Trulsrud (Saskatoon, SK), who at 5'9” isn't the most imposing player height-wise, but last weekend nabbed 13 and eight rebounds.
Alberta Pandas (4-2)
Last Week: W 74-46, W 68-44 at Lethbridge Pronghorns
Alberta rebounded from two close four-point defeats on the road against Calgary a couple weeks back by dominating the Lethbridge Pronghorns at home last weekend.
On the Friday night, the Pandas showed an ability to completely control the basketball game when they opened up with a brilliant 29-0 run in the first quarter. They never looked back, and every player dressed for the game contributed in a well-rounded team effort.
Complacency was not an issue, as the Pandas came roaring back the following night for another 24-point blowout. Third-years Kendra Asleson (Richmond, BC) and Sally Hillier (Surrey, BC) provided a strong inside-outside combo, each registering 13 points. The two have been together since their high school days at Elgin Park Secondary.
The Pandas play with a deep bench, with every player averaging ten minutes a game or more. UBC will have to be sure to monitor their own energy levels in order to keep up with the Panda's seemingly fresh legs.
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