VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds men's basketball team will look to take down their lower mainland rivals this weekend, as the Trinity Western Spartans make their way to War Memorial Gym for a back-to-back set of games this Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14. Friday's contest is set to tip off at 8 p.m. (PT), while Saturday's showdown will start at 7 p.m. (PT).
                                                               
The 'Birds are coming off a split in their season-opening weekend against the Alberta Golden Bears. The Blue and Gold dropped their debut performance 79-74 to the Bears, a game in which the 'Birds jumped out to a 17-0 lead within the first five minutes of the contest, before being outscored 79-57 the rest of the way. Fourth-year guard Jordan Jensen-Whyte was productive in the loss, leading the squad with a game-high 21 points and six boards.
 
The T-Birds got a form of redemption the next time out against Alberta, as they controlled from start to finish in an 82-54 win. The 'Birds never once trailed in the contest, as they got significant contributions from veteran forwards David Wagner (Kamloops, B.C.), with 16 points and six rebounds, Conor Morgan (Victoria, B.C.), with 14 points and seven boards, while guard AJ Holloway (Tacoma, Wash.) had 15 points in just 15 minutes off the bench.
                             
The Spartans are still looking for their first win of the season, after they dropped both halves of their season-opening back-to-back to the Victoria Vikes, 82-71 in the first game, and 78-61 in the second.
 
The former contest showed some promise, as the Spartans got some excellent individual performances out of third-year forward Dean Richey (22 points, six rebounds, three assists) and third-year guard Lucas Nannes (17 points, three rebounds). Overall, though, the Spartans have shot just 34.6% from the field, the lowest rate among any Canada West side that saw the floor last week.
 
After this weekend, the 'Birds will head out on the road for the first time this season, as they're set to face the Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon on November 21 and 22.