The UBC Thunderbirds are off to Edmonton to determine their playoff positioning against the University of Alberta Pandas in their final two games of the regular season. With a ticket to the postseason already in tow, the 'Birds are gunning for a first round bye if they can snag a top four finish in the Canada West. UBC is currently in fifth place with a 13-5 record, narrowly behind the fourth place Pandas (14-4) heading into the head-to-head tilt.
 
Game one will tip off at 5:00 p.m. PT on Friday, February 1 at Saville Community Sport Centre with the regular season finale for both teams slated for Saturday, February 2 at 4:00 p.m. PT.
 
The last time these two teams met was back in exhibition action on October 20, 2017 when the University of Alberta earned a 75-68 overtime victory over the T-Birds in Calgary, Alberta. UBC and U of A also squared off in the Canada West quarter-final two seasons ago, with the Pandas eliminating the 'Birds with a pair of home court victories - 62-58 and 60-52.

?? WBB | @UBCWBBall gets the weekend split after tonight's 93-79 victory vs. @UNBCATHLETICS. The 'Birds had a great 1st and 3rd quarter, and tonight's starters all scored in double digits!#GoBirdsGo pic.twitter.com/53kYWrw1at

— UBC Thunderbirds / @UBCTBirds (@ubctbirds) January 27, 2019

 

Last Action

 
UBC came away with a series split against the University of Northern B.C. Timberwolves last weekend at War Memorial Gym, as their 77-60 loss on Friday night snapped an impressive nine-game win streak by the 'Birds. The Thunderbirds bounced back on Saturday evening with a commanding 93-79 victory over the Timberwolves to close out their regular season home schedule.
 
The Pandas were swept handily by the Saskatchewan Huskies on the road last week, losing 87-43 on Friday before falling 88-64 on Saturday to set up a showdown with the T-Birds to close out the regular season.

Players to Watch

 
Maddison Penn – (#15, F) The former NCAA Division 1 player averages a double-double with 16.3 points per game and 10.7 rebounds per game in Canada West conference play. Penn notched her tenth and eleventh double-double of the season against UNBC a week ago, totalling 35 points 24 boards over the series split, and continues to make an impact on both ends of the floor.
 
Madison Legault – (#14, G/F) The second-year North Vancouver product tied her season-high with 12 points against UNBC last weekend while also grabbing 13 rebounds and two blocks over the series. Legault averages the fourth most minutes per game (24.3) - behind Jessica Hanson, Maddison Penn and Keylyn Filewich - while averaging the third most rebounds per game (5.3) and field goal percentage (50.0).

Coach's Take

"I think UNBC deserves credit for earning the split last weekend," said UBC head coach Deb Huband. "They have some all-star level players that caused problems for us on Friday and I think we responded really well with adjustments and getting the girls attention about some key changes that we needed to make not just for Saturday but moving forward. I think it's all about continuing to gain knowledge and refine what we're doing over the course of a 20 game season.

Huband also previewed what she expects this weekend from the Pandas.

"I think they've had a very good season, I think they've exceeded some peoples expectations as far as how successful their season has been," added Huband. They are a dynamic team with some standout players. They shoot the three ball very well, they compete hard, they're very tough in their gym so we expect to be tested and think it's a good challenge in the last weekend of league play."