The New Year already started off in the wrong direction for UNBC's women's and men's basketball squads after dropping their first four combined games of 2020.
This weekend, unfortunately, may not be much easier.
After UNBC lost sets against the Calgary Dinos, number one in both standings, but they'll now be looking to get back in the win column with the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) at Northern Sport Centre in Prince George Friday (Jan. 10) and Saturday (Jan. 11).
The UFV women hold a 6-4 record to date in the 2019-20 season, which has them in sixth place in Canada West standings, while the lady T-Wolves sit in 13th with a 3-7 record.
Here's how the two teams match up against each other coming into this weekend:
UNBC TIMBERWOLVES (WOMEN)
- Record: 3-7
- Canada West standings: 13th
- 67.4 points scored per game
- 71.8 points allowed per game
- Scoring leader: Madison Landry (19.5 per game)
- Rebounding leader: Maria Mongomo (8.6 per game)
- Assists leader: Emily Holmes (3.4 per game)
- Steals leader: Maria Mongomo (3.0 per game)
- Blocks leader: Emma vanBruinessen (0.9 per game)
UFV CASCADES (WOMEN)
- Record: 6-4
- Canada West Standings: Sixth
- 70.7 points per game
- 64.7 points allowed per game
- Scoring leader: Taylor Claggett (19.4 per game)
- Rebounding leader: Taylor Claggett (9.5 per game)
- Assists leader: Taylor Claggett (4.0 per game)
- Steals leader: Jessica Parker (2.3 per game)
- Blocks leader; Madison Draayers (0.5 per game)
Claggett will be looking to make history in Prince George, needing only four more free-throws to break the Canada West all-time record currently held by Saskatchewan's Sarah Cooks with 455.
“This weekend we need to focus on the little things," UNBC's Emma vanBruinessen says in a team release.
"Tough defense will be key as well as preventing turnovers, and unnecessary fouls. We were competitive with UBC so there is no reason we can’t be competitive with UFV and pull out some wins.”
With a huge @CanadaWest Women's Basketball weekend ahead, @UNBCWomensBball vs @UFVCascades, we take a look at a big matchup that should be fun to watch! @taylorclaggett and Maria Mongomo have been battling for five seasons, and both have their names all over the CW record books! pic.twitter.com/ToFCo0ByIT
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) January 9, 2020
UNBC TIMBERWOLVES (MEN)
- Record: 4-6
- Canada West Standings: 11th
- 76.2 points per game
- 84.8 points allowed per game
- Scoring leader: Tyrell Laing (22.6 per game)
- Rebounding leader: Fareed Shittu (7.8 per game)
- Assists leader: Vova Pluzhnikov (1.2 per game)
- Blocks leader: Fareed Shittu (1.4 per game)
UFV CASCADES (MEN)
- Record: 4-6
- Canada West Standings: Ninth
- 81.4 points scored per game
- 79.4 points allowed per game
- Scoring leader: Parm Bains (18.7 per game)
- Assists leader: Parm Bains (3.9 per game)
- Rebounding leader: Sukhjot Bains (8.7 per game)
- Assists leader: Parm Bains (3.9 per game)
- Steals leader: Vick Toor (1.6 per game)
- Blocks leader: Kenan Hadzovic (0.7 per game)
'“We talk about last year [playoff loss to UFV] a lot," UNBC's Vova Pluzhnikov said.
"We are definitely looking forward to getting revenge for last year’s loss. We circled this weekend on our calendars when the schedule was released."
UNBC women tip-off at 6 p.m. and 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday respectively, while the men start at 8 p.m. and 7 p.m.
🏔🏀 MBB WEEKEND PREVIEW | Huge playoff implications for the Cascades as they visit @UNBCATHLETICS!
— UFV Cascades (@UFVCascades) January 9, 2020
📰 https://t.co/j7o9F1KtZc#WeClimbWeConquer pic.twitter.com/SsE4ZpQfFo
