The Matchup
Two of the hottest teams in the Canada West clash in the final week of regular season play as the UBC Thunderbirds (10-8) take on the Victoria Vikes (14-4) in a home-and-home series Thursday and Friday, February 1 and 2.
Undefeated in 2018, the 'Birds take their six-game win streak to Victoria's Carsa Performance Gym on Thursday before hosting the Vikes at War Memorial Gym Friday night for UBC's COURTSIDE game.
After starting the season 4-4, the Vikes have won 10 straight games and have their sights on earning a bye through the first round of Canada West playoffs. The 'Birds have also punched their ticket to the post-season and will be looking to lock-down a home date for the conference single game play-in next weekend.
The last time the two long-standing rivals met came in November of 2016 when UBC swept a home-and-home including a double overtime thriller at War Memorial.
Tipoff Thursday in Victoria is 6:00 p.m. PT with COURTSIDE 2018 on Friday also at 6:00 p.m. PT.
Last Action
UBC earned a pair of convincing wins over UBC Okanagan in Kelowna last weekend. The 'Birds put up a season high 82 points Friday followed up by a 66-48 win Saturday to complete the sweep.
The Vikes kept their win streak going with back-to-back victories over the visiting Mount Royal Cougars. Victoria earned an 85-75 win Friday night and edged out MRU 85-82 Saturday.
By the Numbers
8.67 – The fewer average number of points allowed by the T-Birds per game compared to that of Victoria. The Vikes boast a potent offence but allow more than 72 points against on average.
30.3 – UBC is averaging 30.3 defensive rebounds per game, tops in the Canada West.
Players to Watch
Keylyn Filewich (#9, F) – The second-year forward completed her seventh and eighth double-doubles, respectively, over the weekend while leading all players with a combined 38 points. Filewich had a career high 14 rebounds Saturday and her 55.5 percent field goal percentage is second in the conference.
Gabrielle Laguerta (#10, G) – Laguerta put up a career best game last Saturday with new highs in points (16), field goals (6), three-point attempts (8) and rebounds (5). The second-year guard is now up to fifth on the 'Birds in points per game.
Coach's Take
Riding a season-high six game win streak into the final week of the regular season, UBC head coach
Deb Huband credits growth as a team both on and off the court for the T-Birds' improved results.
"We still are a young team and have lots that we'd like to see executed better and understood more deeply, but we are where we are," said Huband. "I think we just in general are playing better as a five player unit on the floor and understand each other a little bit better in what we're trying to do."
Huband is looking forward to the challenge of facing a solid Vikes team for a pair of games she feels will better prepare the 'Birds for the post-season.
"There's two more games to put us in a position for playoffs where we'll be as ready as we possibly can be," said the long-time head coach. "We always look forward to the Victoria rivalry, we really embrace the opportunity. I think Courtside is going to be a terrific event and we look forward to being a part of it and going head-to-head with one of our longstanding rivals."
