VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds (8-4) are back on home court for the first time this calendar year as they host the Trinity Western Spartans (3-7) on Friday, January 10, at 6 p.m. PT and Saturday, January 11, at 5 p.m. PT inside War Memorial Gym.
UBC opened the new year with a road split in Abbotsford and has won six of their last seven games to remain in the upper tier of the Canada West standings. The Spartans are currently outside the playoff picture, and are coming off a pair of lopsided losses on home floor.
The T-Birds swept Trinity Western in their last meeting a season ago - winning 76-64 and 70-48 in Langley.
UBC head coach Deb Huband is just two victories from becoming the Canada West's all-time wins leader. Currently, former T-Birds player, Kathy Shields, tops the list with 337 wins, all achieved at the University of Victoria.
Last Action
Fifth-year senior Jessica Hanson led the 'Birds to a slim 76-74 victory over the UFV Cascades last Friday after converting a jumper and-one with just over a minute remaining and finishing with a team-high 17 points on the road. UFV dominated early the following night - racing out to a 29-13 lead over UBC after the first quarter and carrying it to a 77-62 win on home floor. Hanson tallied 18 points and 10 rebounds in the loss, while Keylyn Filewich added 18 points and 14 boards of her own to continue her impressive fourth-year campaign.
Trinity Western was in tough against the undefeated Saskatchewan Huskies (10-0) last weekend - falling 83-39 and 101-47 on home court and shot below 26% from the field in both losses.
Coach's Take
"We are excited to be home for our first games of 2020 celebrating both Shoot for the Cure on Friday, and jersey night on Saturday," said UBC head coach Deb Huband. "We need to show continued development and growth in our individual responsibilities, and team play both offensively and defensively, as we move into the final eight Canada West league games."
Huband hopes to see continual improvement as her team enters the second half of their season.
"We continue to build consistency in our play and confidence in each other. TWU has a strong work ethic and solid team play and we look forward to hosting them this weekend."
