Seeding, momentum on the line in T-Birds' regular season finale

Matchup

With Canada West playoff seeding up for grabs, the UBC Thunderbirds (14-4) will travel out to the suburbs this weekend, as they face the Trinity Western Spartans (12-6) in a battle of two lower mainland powers.

The last weekend of UBC's regular season will go down at the Langley Events Centre, with the T-Birds and Spartans scheduled to do battle on Friday, February 11, and Saturday, February 12. Both games will get underway at 5:00 p.m. (PT).

Last Action

The 'Birds stretched their recent win streak to five games last week with a pair of tight triumphs over the UNBC Timberwolves. The first contest, a 75-59 win, saw the two sides go back and forth before a 12-0 UBC run bridging the third and fourth quarters put the 'Birds ahead for good. Maddison Penn led all scorers with 19 points in the game.

#tbt to yesterday when @chairrub_lum had her last practice at WMG before leaving for Australia #downunda #tbird4life pic.twitter.com/ke8qjdkBZh
— UBC Women's Bball (@UBCWBBall) February 10, 2017

In the second matchup, the T-Birds outlasted a valiant comeback attempt from UNBC, as the Timberwolves closed a once 13-point gap to just four over the game's final two minutes. Still, the 'Birds got double-digit scoring from four players, including a career-high 15 from fifth-year forward Andrea Strujic, and escaped with the win.

By the Numbers

19 – In the first game against Northern BC last week, the 'Birds recorded 19 steals, tying their season-high previously set against the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack in a 72-46 win last November. Kara Spotton led UBC with five individual steals in the contest.

73.7 – Like their male counterparts, the T-Birds are playing a very high-octane brand of basketball. At 73.7 points-per-game, the 'Birds sit fifth in all of U Sports in scoring, and second in the Canada West behind the Regina Cougars (75.1).

Players to Watch

Keylyn Filewich – The rookie forward has become one of Deb Huband's go-to weapons in the frontcourt, flashing impressive athleticism and high basketball IQ. Filewich has posted an average of 7.2 points-per-game on a team-leading mark of 50.7% shooting from the field, while adding 5.0 rebounds each night.

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Andrea Strujic – The senior forward's 15 points against the Timberwolves last Saturday nearly doubled her career-high of eight points in conference play, which she picked up in a 72-60 win over the Brandon Bobcats on February 13, 2016.

From the Coach's Mouth

"You want to be playing your best basketball going into the end of the regular season," said UBC head coach Deb Huband. "It's the last chance without the playoff pressure to try and get things right, and you want to take as much momentum into the playoffs as possible. Plus there's still seeding to consider, and winning will give us the best chance at a good matchup next week."

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Players Mentioned

#8 Kara Spotton: F; 6' 2"; 5th

#9 Keylyn Filewich: F; 6' 2"; 1st

#12 Andrea Strujic: F; 6' 3"; 5th

#15 Maddison Penn: G; 6' 1"; 2nd

Players Mentioned

#8 Kara Spotton
: 6' 2"; 5th
: F

#9 Keylyn Filewich
: 6' 2"; 1st
: F

#12 Andrea Strujic
: 6' 3"; 5th
: F

#15 Maddison Penn
: 6' 1"; 2nd
: G