The UBC Thunderbirds are set to open their Canada West regular season on the road this weekend with back to back games against the Regina Cougars. The action begins Friday, November 1 with a 5:00 p.m. tipoff while the rematch goes exactly 24 hours later on Saturday, November 2 also starting at 5:00 p.m. at CKHS, University of Regina.
 
This will be the team's first meeting in nearly two years, dating back some 23 months to be when the Cougars visited UBC's War Memorial Gym in early December of 2017 and completed the weekend sweep with scores of 81-54 and 72-56.


 

Last Action

 
The T-Birds concluded their pre-season this past weekend by splitting a pair of contests at the Canada West Basketball tournament in Calgary. It began with a 62-47 win over the MT. Royal Cougars on Friday before eventually dropping a hard fought 83-79 overtime decision against the Alberta Pandas on Saturday to finish with an overall record of 5-3 against Canada West and U SPORTS competition.
 
UBC found themselves trailing after three quarters of play on Saturday but battled back to erase an eight point fourth quarter deficit to force overtime but were then outscored 8-4 in extra time by the triumphant Pandas.


 
Setting the pace for the 'Birds on Saturday was fourth-year forward Keylyn Filewich matching a game high 31 points shared with Alberta guard Vanessa Wild. Offering the offensive support for the T-Birds was fifth-year guard Jessica Hanson pouring in 23 points with help from hitting three of her seven three-point attempts. Meanwhile Madison Legault, Hailey Counsell and Gabrielle Laguerta all chipped in with five points each.


 
In Friday's more convincing outing, a 62-47 victory over MT. Royal it was the veteran Hanson stepping up to lead the way thanks to her game high 18 points which included a perfect two for two from three-point land. Filewich was also leading by example, inking her name all over the scoresheet in registering a double double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Fourth-year guard Gabrielle Laguerta added 13 points and like Hanson was effective from outside hitting three of her seven attempts from beyond the arc to help secure the win.


 
The Cougars meanwhile finished the pre-season with a 4-2 record in six non-conference games against U SPORTS opposition. The team finished the exhibition campaign with two games on the west coast, starting last Wednesday at Trinity Western University where the visitors enjoyed 64-54 victory over the Spartans. Guard Faith Reid was dangerous from outside for Regina, hitting five of her eight, three-point attempts to lead the way with 17 points.
 
The Cougars then went south for their final action down to southern California to take on the (NCAA Div. I) San Diego State Aztecs, this time it was the hosts earning an 82-54 decision. Once again leading the way for the Cougars was Reid with 14 points, many of them coming courtesy of her making good on four shots from beyond the arc.
 

Coach's Take

 
UBC head coach Deb Huband is pleased with the progression her squad has shown through the pre-season, leading into this weekend's season opener.
 
"I think we've had a lot of opportunity to see teams across the country and within Canada West," said Huband. "We've played a handful of top 10 teams so I think we have a good frame of reference for what's out there. I think our team play has been growing and improving and I think we've had some very strong games as well as portions of other games, so I think we're on the right track."

Huband also sized up the weekend competition that awaits in Regina.
 
"The Cougars are always a tough, physical team and they do a great job hosting so we'll expect a big enthusiastic home crowd so it's always a good environment to play in. They've had a bit of changeover with some of their roster so it will be a bit of a new look team but we're quite familiar with them and expect a tough physical challenge in Regina."