VANCOUVER - Kamloops is the destination for the UBC Thunderbirds women's basketball team this weekend as they take on the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack.
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The Thunderbirds sit second in the Pacific Division and tied for third in the conference with a record of 3-1. In the wake of two impressive performances against the Trinity Western Spartans, in which they came away with two wins and a comfortable margin of 15 points in each game, the 'Birds know they can keep pace with division leaders Fraser Valley with a couple more wins this weekend.
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New addition
Harleen Sidhu, formerly of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, has slotted in well and provided an essential frontcourt presence after the loss of last year's starting center
Leigh Stansfield. Sidhu already leads the team in rebounding and played outstanding in last Friday's win against the Spartans registering 31 points and 15 rebounds as well as shooting 68 percent from the field. Having her slot into the team takes some of the pressure off reigning conference MVP
Kris Young who last year led the Thunderbirds in points, assists, rebounds, steals, three-pointers made and minutes played.
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Thompson Rivers' biggest scoring threat comes from Taisya Worsfold, who sits fifth in the conference in scoring with 17.8 points per game. Jorri Duxbury is the main factor in her getting so many looks as Duxbury is average five assists a game coming into this weekend, good for third in the conference.
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The WolfPack lead the conference in offensive rebounds, something the Thunderbirds frontcourt will need to be wary of in their zone. Thompson Rivers are also forcing the fifth most turnovers per game (10.5) and the starting guards of Young,
Maggie Sundberg and
Cassandra Knievel will have to be clever coming up the court and not wasteful in possession because the WolfPack will capitalize on any loose balls.
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The last time these two teams met was November last year where UBC won both games at home by margins of four and two points. This weekend's double header promises to be just as close.
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Friday's game takes place at the Tournament Capital Centre at 6 p.m. Saturday's game is at the same venue with tip-off at 5 p.m.
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