VANCOUVER - The No. 3 UBC Thunderbirds can clinch top spot in the Pacific Division with just one win this weekend, but that will be easier said than done as they have to head out on the road to take on the the second-place Fraser Valley Cascades who have lost only once at home this year.
Both games will be webcast (with live online statistics) on
CanadaWest.tv
GAME TIMES
Fri., Feb. 3 - No. 3 UBC at Fraser Valley (6 p.m. at Envision Athletics Centre, Abbotsford)
Sat., Feb. 4 - No. 3 UBC at Fraser Valley (5 p.m. at Envision Athletics Centre, Abbotsford)
No. 3 UBC Thunderbirds
2011-12 conference record: 12-2 (1st, Pacific Division)
2011-12 CIS ranking: 3
Last Week: W 81-57, W 71-40 vs UBC Okanagan
Streak: 8 wins
While the T-Birds put up big wins both nights against UBC Okanagan, head coach
Deb Huband wasn't thrilled with the defensive effort in game one that allowed the struggling Heat to score 57 points. The 'Birds responded by holding the same Heat to just 17 points through three quarters in game two, before allowing them to break out for 23 in the fourth.
The T-Birds can probably be forgiven if they were a little distracted in that fourth quarter though, having watched their starting point guard
Kristen Hughes go down with what looked like a scary knee injury at the time. It wouldn't have been the first such injury the T-Birds witnessed on their own court this season, but fortunately Hughes was able to remain with the team on the bench for the remainder of the game, and Huband was optimistic that she wouldn't miss much time.
That's great news for the T-Birds, because they can't afford to be without Hughes for a deep playoff run. In addition to the obvious importance of the starting point guard for any team, Hughes is also UBC's only major three-point threat, averaging about two made three-balls per game. No other T-Bird has made more than nine threes all season.
The offence is led by sophomore guard
Kris Young and senior centre
Zara Huntley. Young averages 15.6 points per game with incredible efficiency for a guard, shooting .524 for the season. Huntley is also around the .500 mark for the year while chipping in 13.7 points, and her impressive effort in game two against UBC Okanagan last week vaulted her into the team rebounding lead with 6.4 boards per game.
Leigh Stansfield also had a strong weekend patrolling the low post for UBC. She scored a season-high 14 in game one, proving she can do more with her lengthy frame than rebound and block shots. She certianly does those things well though, averaging five boards and 1.1 blocks in 22 minutes of average court time.
Fraser Valley Cascades
2011-12 conference record: 10-5 (2nd, Pacific Division)
2011-12 CIS ranking: -
Last Week: L 71-59 vs Trinity Western
Streak: 1 loss
The Cascades already have a playoff spot locked up and have certainly put in a regular season to be proud of, but at the same time they have to be disappointed with last week's home loss to Trinity Western. The Spartans were just a .500 team heading into that game, and it was the Cascades' first home loss of the year, putting them in a tough spot to make a run at first place. They could still do it, but need a sweep this weekend over the 'Birds to have a chance.
The Cascades' success this year has been based on their defence, which let them down last week. For the season they are second only to No. 1 Regina in opponent field goal percentage, but they allowed the Spartans to shoot .415 from the field and lost the turnover battle, despite their +5 average turnover margin for the season.
Tessa Klassen leads the team with 13.1 points per game. She is a very dangerous three-point shooter, but less effective inside. She actually shoots a higher field goal percentage behind the three-point line than she does inside it. Fortunately for the Cascades, she doesn't have to do a lot of scoring inside. That's what the Wierks sisters are for.
Nicole Wierks is second in team scoring with 11.1 points per game, and Sarah Wierks is fourth with 9.7. They both shoot over .450 from the field, and combine for over 16 rebounds per game. Sarah's 10.3 boards are good for second in the conference.
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