VANCOUVER - The UBC Women's basketball team looks forward to opening the regular season at home this weekend when they host the Canada West defending champion Saskatchewan Huskies for back to back games.
 
It all gets started on Friday, October 26^th with the highly anticipated third annual Courtside festival where blue and gold T-Bird pride and tradition will be on full display in historic War Memorial Gym with tip off scheduled for 6:00 p.m. On Saturday, the teams meet once again for a 5:00 p.m. start.


 
The T-Birds enjoyed a 6-1 pre-season record and were voted as the No. 4 ranked team in the Canada West coaches pre-season poll meanwhile the defending CW champion Huskies enter the campaign as the No. 1 ranked squad in CW pre-season coaches poll.
 
The last time these two teams met was nearly two years ago in early January of 2017 where the 'Birds suffered two road losses in Saskatoon, SASK.
 

Last Action

 
The 'Birds have enjoyed winning six exhibition games in a row including their last two outings last weekend at Alberta Pandas hoopfest where they earned a 62-59 victory over Calgary followed by a 69-59 decision over Lethbridge.
 
The Huskies who finished the pre-season with a 4-1 record came away with two wins and a loss in their last action at the Ryerson tournament in Toronto last weekend, besting Western Ontario 76-41, followed by a close 72-71 loss to McMaster before closing it out with a 77-66 victory over Bishops.


 

By the Numbers

 
74 – The average amount of points the T-Birds scored through seven pre-season tilts, with the highest output coming in a convincing 98-23 win over visiting Lewis and Clarke. Six players registered double digits in points that night displaying good distribution and offensive depth in the lead up to the season opener
 
57 – The average amount of points the 'Birds gave up through seven pre-season contests showing a commitment to team defence that they hope to carry on to the regular season.


 

Players to watch

 
Maddison Penn (#15, G) – The fourth-year guard was named a Canada West first-team All Star for the second straight season in 2017-18, finishing second in CW points per game with 18.8. The product of Australia's Canberra Capitals program led the 'Birds in field goal attempts, three pointers sunk, and total rebounds per game last season.
 
Kate Johnson (#1, G) – The athletic second-year guard transferred to UBC in the off season after spending her first season at the university level with UBC Okanagan. The native of Kelowna, B.C., appeared in all 20 Canada West conference games with the Heat, recording six starts, all of which came in the second half of the season while averaging 6.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.15 assists per outing.


 

Coach's Take

 
"I think anytime you bring a team together you're looking to see what type of gains have been made in the off-season," said long-time T-Birds head coach Deb Huband. "I think for us we knew the local players worked very hard on their game and when the out of town players came we could see how they all fit together. I think we were very encouraged by what we're able to teach on the court and what the athletes are able to execute on the court showing learning and growth and maturation. Through the pre-season games we saw the same evidence of the team being one year older and having some new parts and playing a much more refined style of basketball."
 
Huband went on to size up the No. 1 ranked Huskies who visit this weekend.
 
"I mean they are Canada West champs and they return most of their team," continued Huband. "They're very well coached and know each other well and play a refined game. We expect it will be a good opportunity for us to see where we're are right now as we start league, a good little measuring stick for us and an opportunity to play the pre-season CW favourite."