The Matchup

 After an extended holiday break complete with a bye week to open 2018, the UBC Thunderbirds (4-8) begin the second-half of the Canada West schedule on the road meeting the Lethbridge Pronghorns (10-4) this Friday and Saturday January 12 and 13.
 
It will be the first meeting between the two teams in almost exactly two years, dating back to early January of 2016 when the T-Birds handed Lethbridge back to back lopsided losses.
 
This weekend's action tips off on Friday night at 5 p.m. PT at 1^st Choice Savings Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta while the rematch goes Saturday at 5 p.m. PT.
 

Last Action

Before the holiday break the 'Birds dropped back to back home games against the Regina Cougars at War Memorial Gym with scores of 81-54 and 72-56 on Friday December 1 and Saturday December 2.
 
The Pronghorns opened the 2018 portion of the schedule last weekend with two straight setbacks at the University of Manitoba.
 
By the Numbers
 
30.3 – The average number of defensive rebounds UBC collects per game which is tied with Mount Royal sharing the number one ranking in Canada West.
 
14.8 – The average number of personal fouls that have been called against the T-Birds per game, the third-least fouls per game in the conference
 

Players to watch

Maddison Penn (#15, G) – The third-year guard is averaging 19.3 points per game which ranks her as the second leading scorer in Canada West.
 
Jessica Hanson (#11, G) – The third-year guard is leading the T-Birds in shots from beyond the arc this season with a team high 34.6 three-point shooting percentage.

Coach's Take

To stay sharp during the holiday break the Thunderbirds took a week-long trip to Havana, Cuba in late December where they played in some exhibition games and informal scrimmages against area club and national team players. T-Birds head coach Deb Huband was very pleased with the experience and looking forward to beginning the back half of the Canada West schedule.
 
"It gave us a great opportunity for team building, for time on the court without distractions and to soak up some local culture as well, so I think it was a really productive week on many levels for the team."
 
Huband also sized up this weekend's competition, meeting a Pronghorns team that sits tied for second spot in the conference with Trinity Western.
 
"They've had a really good start to the season, they faltered a little bit last weekend against Manitoba but I think they'll be a very strong opponent at home. They have some very dynamic guard play and are one of the best three-point shooting teams in Canada West so it will be a good test for us as we get back into action."