VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds continue the young Canada West campaign with their home opener this weekend when they welcome the Calgary Dinos for back to back games on the Point Grey Campus. It all gets going Friday, November 8 with a 6:00 p.m. tipoff while game two is set for Saturday, November 9 at 5:00 p.m. at historic War Memorial Gym.
 
This weekend will mark the team's first meeting in just over two years dating back to early November 2017 in Calgary where the schools split their contests. The T-Birds dropped the first game 64-35 but rebounded nicely the following night to grind out a 62-59 road win.


 

Last Action

 
The T-Birds who were ranked No. 3 overall in the CW pre-season coaches poll are coming off a season opening road sweep of the Regina Cougars with victories of 70-58 last Friday followed up by a 74-56 triumph.
 
In the opener, it was Jess Hanson who set the tone with a game high 21 points aided by hitting on all three of her three-point attempts while Keylyn Filewich added 17 points. On Saturday, it was Filewich who made her presence felt in recording a double double thanks to a game high in both points, 22 and rebounds, 10. Hanson and Hailey Counsel each added 13 points to support the cause, nine of Counsel's 13 points coming from beyond the arc thanks to her draining three of her five attempts.


 
The Dinos come to the west coast as the No. 3 ranked U SPORTS team in the Country and the second seeded CW squad by way of the pre-season coaches poll. Calgary is coming off their bye week and will be seeing their first regular season action after enjoying a pre-season record of 6-1 against various U SPORTS squads and colleges from south of the border. The Dino's last action came last Saturday where they earned a 78-53 road victory against the University of Providence Argonauts out of Great Falls Montana. The Dinos were led by fifth-year forward Erin McIntosh's game high 21 points while fifth-year guard Sascha Lichtenwald chipped in with 12 points.
 

Coach's Take

 
UBC head coach Deb Huband was encouraged with her team's season opening road sweep and is looking to build off the total team efforts.
 
"It was a great start for us on the road against a team that's had a strong program for many years," said Huband. "I think we had a solid team performance and good leadership from our veteran group and with our added depth we also had good contributions from rookies all the way through to fifth-years so that's a positive. We still have a few people out of the lineup and despite having a reduced roster we're receiving good contributions."
 
Huban also previewed what she expects to see from the Dinos.
 
"It will be a big challenge with Calgary coming to town currently ranked No. 3 in U SPORTS, they play a unique style of basketball which can cause some issues for matchups in transition as well as creating some confusion defensively with what they do. So, it will be a good opportunity for us to see where we are as far as composure, depth and team execution."