VANCOUVER - The Thunderbirds went 11-1 in the second half of the season to run away with the Pacific Division, and their prize is a first round playoff match up at home against the Alberta Pandas this weekend. The 'Birds and Pandas will clash in a best-of-three series to determine who goes on to the Canada West Final Four and earns a berth to the CIS tournament.
All games will be broadcast with live statistics at
CanadaWest TV.
GAME TIMES
Thurs., Feb. 23 - No. 8 Alberta at No. 4 UBC (7 p.m. at War Memorial Gymnasium, Vancouver) -
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Sat., Feb. 25 - No. 8 Alberta at No. 4 UBC (3 p.m. at War Memorial Gymnasium, Vancouver) -
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Sun., Feb. 26 - No. 8 Alberta at No. 4 UBC (3 p.m. at War Memorial Gymnasium, Vancouver) (if necessary) -
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No. 4 UBC Thunderbirds
2011-12 conference record: 15-3 (1st, Pacific Division)
Last Week: W 69-57 at Victoria
Streak: 3 wins
The T-Birds were the class of the Pacific Division from wire to wire in the regular season, despite losing several key role players to injury at different points. Though the bench is a little shorter now heading into the playoffs, the 'Birds battled through those injuries and got stronger as a team every week.
Last week they were up against a dangerous Victoria squad desperate for a win at home to get themselves into the playoffs, and the 'Birds handled them with ease, getting double digit scoring out of four of their starters and hammering the Vikes on the boards.
That will have to be a common scenario in the playoffs for the 'Birds to make a deep run since they do rely heavily on those starters now with so few options on the bench. Just eight T-Birds entered the game last week, but their veteran starting group carried them to a convincing victory as they have often done this season.
Kris Young (2nd, North Vancouver, BC) and
Zara Huntley (5th, Halifax, NS) combined for 24 rebounds last week in Victoria, highlighting one of UBC's most important advantages. The 'Birds are a strong rebounding squad, ranked third in Canada West, and with a shooting guard like Young who has the ability to rack up boards just as efficiently as the bigs, they should have plenty of second chance opportunities to push them over the top in close playoff contests.
In fact, everyone but the point guard plays a major role in the rebounding effort for UBC. Huntley leads the team with seven per game, while Young contributes 6.9,
Alex Vieweg (5th, North Vancouver, BC) adds 5.8 and
Leigh Stansfield (4th, Victoria, BC) chips in 4.8.
They show a similar balance offensively, with Young topping the team scoring list at 15.3 points per game. Huntley, Vieweg and point guard
Kristen Hughes (4th, North Vancouver, BC) all average double digits as well, and Stansfield isn't far behind with eight points per game. Hughes is the only significant three-point threat for the 'Birds, but Young and Vieweg can both knock down a perimeter jumper regularly, making UBC a very tough team to guard with options all over the floor.
Alberta has knocked the Thunderbirds out of the playoffs the last two seasons, with both series taking place in Edmonton. Earlier this year, UBC beat Alberta in Vancouver by a score of 73-69.
No. 8 Alberta Pandas
2011-12 conference record: 13-7 (4th, Prairie Division)
Last Week: Bye
Streak: 2 wins
The Pandas looked to be headed for a better finish in the standings until a four-game losing streak late in the regular season dropped them down to fourth. They played the T-Birds close in their one regular season tilt but came up short 73-69. Consistency, or a complete lack of it, got the best of the Pandas in that game. They scored eight points in the first quarter, 23 in the second, 12 in the third and 26 in the fourth.
Scoring in bursts like that can help a team stay close, but to beat quality playoff opponents the Pandas will need a more reliable form of offence. The problem is, only Nicole Clark averages double digits in scoring with 15.6 points per game. The Pandas have seven players who average at least five points, but getting one of them to step up as a reliable second option behind Clark has been a challenge.
Sally Hillier is second on the team with nine points per game, and she led the Pandas with 17 the last time they were in Vancouver, but her .335 field goal percentage this season keeps her from being a consistent scorer. She and Clarke are both three-point threats, but unless they want to heave a lot of long range shots and hope for the best like they did the first time around, points in the paint are the way to go.
Second year forward Saskia Van Ginhoven may be the answer. The 6'1 post averages just eight points per game but she has shown the ability to score consistently inside, shooting .628 from the field this season. No other Panda is shooting above .500 this year. She is also tied for the team rebounding lead and will be facing stiff competition on the glass this weekend, so she will be a player to watch for the Bears as they try for the road upset.
Tickets are available at the box office starting one hour before tip-off.
Individual Game Tickets (2012 Playoffs)
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Adults $15
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Youth, Seniors, UBC Faculty/Staff & Visiting Students $5
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UBC Students & U.N.A. $2*
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Kids 6 and under FREE
*NEW - Family Pass: $20. Includes admission for a family of up to 5. (max 2 adults).
Group Sales
For group rates please call 604-822-3094 or email
tickets@gothunderbirds.ca.
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