VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds women's basketball team (2-2) are off to the Prairies this weekend for a pair of games against the No. 1-ranked Saskatchewan Huskies (4-0).
 
The Huskies and Thunderbirds haven't faced one another since their CIS Final 8 matchup last March, where the T-Birds earned a 73-61 victory and the bronze medal. Just eight days prior, UBC narrowly defeated Saskatchewan 69-68 at War Memorial Gym in the Canada West championship game. In all, the Thunderbirds won four of five contests against the Huskies last season.
 
UBC head coach Deb Huband acknowledges the challenges her team will face this weekend, but is confident the players will rise to the occasion.
 
"We will need to execute well offensively as a team to force them to be attentive to defence," said Huband. "We expect a physical battle and will need to rise to that challenge."
 
The 'Birds found their footing last weekend, defeating the visiting Trinity Western Spartans (1-3) twice and putting their disappointing season-opening losses to the Alberta Pandas (4-0) behind them.
 
With 73-57 and 77-53 wins over TWU, the Thunderbirds located an offensive spark thanks in part to stellar weekend performances from Kara Spotton (Fort Collins, Colo.) and Diana Lee (North Vancouver) with 37 points and 35 points respectively.
 
Jessica Hanson (Vancouver) had a career high 18-point night on Saturday and rookie Krysten Lindquist (Markham Ont.) scored a crucial 11 points in the second half on Friday night.
 
UBC's defence also improved significantly in their TWU matchups. TWU only managed a combined 110 points over the weekend compared to 141 from Alberta the weekend prior.
 
Huband stressed the importance of defence when facing an opponent like the Huskies.
 
"Our defensive effort will need to be consistent for 40 minutes to reduce their scoring and contain their all-star level players."
 
The Huskies will be looking to avoid their first loss of the season when UBC comes to town. With an impressive 86-point per game average and 48.6 per cent shooting percent from the field, they may be the 'Birds' most challenging opponents yet.
 
The Huskies have benefited from standout performances from two of their senior players, Laura Dally and Dalyce Emmerson, who have combined for 129 points over four games.
 
The Thunderbirds and Huskies will face off this Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21. Both games commence at 4:15 p.m. (PT) in Saskatoon.