In a B.C. Interior showdown the Heat will host its long-time foe, the Thompson Rivers WolfPack, for a Canada West showdown to open the New Year on Friday at UBC Okanagan. Tip-off is 6 p.m. The Saturday game has been rescheduled Saturday, January 30th (2 p.m.) and will be played at the TCC in Kamloops.
Game Times
Canada West conference games
FRIDAY, JAN 8th, 2016:
6 PM | Basketball (W) (6-2) vs the Thompson Rivers WolfPack (7-1)
Webcast | Live Stats | Tickets
SATURDAY, JAN 9th, 2016:
NOTE:
* Saturday's women's conference basketball game versus TRU has been rescheduled to Saturday, January 30th (2 p.m.) and will be played on the Warner Rentals Court in Kamloops.
To be played at the gymnasium at UBC Okanagan.
| UBCO | TALE OF THE TAPE | TRU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59.8 | 13th | Points per game | 70 | 6th |
| 19.8 | 15th | FG made per game | 25 | 5th |
| 62.1 | 11th | FG attempts per game | 70.6 | 2nd |
| 31.8 | 15th | FG Pct | 35.4 | 11th |
| 5.3 | 9th | 3PT made per game | 7.1 | 3rd |
| 19.6 | 5th | 3PT attempts per game | 28.3 | 1st |
| 26.8 | 13th | 3PT Pct | 25.2 | 15th |
| 15 | 4th | FT made per game | 12.9 | 10th |
| 22.1 | 3rd | FT attempt per game | 20.9 | 7th |
| 67.8 | 10th | FT Pct | 61.7 | 16th |
| 13.1 | 9th | Off rebounds per game | 15.5 | 4th |
| 24.1 | 13th | Def rebounds per game | 33.1 | 2nd |
| 37.3 | 10th | Total rebounds per game | 48.6 | 3rd |
| -4.1 | 11th | Rebound margin per game | 7.3 | 5th |
| 10.3 | 14th | Assists per game | 12.5 | 10th |
| 19.4 | 10th | Turnovers per game | 18.4 | 8th |
| 11.5 | 2nd | Steals per game | 10 | 3rd |
| 1.6 | 15th | Blocks per game | 3.4 | 5th |
| 17.6 | 8th | Personal fouls per game | 15.5 | 5th |
| 58.1 | 4th | Points per game allowed | 62.3 | 6th |
| 37.4 | 9th | Opponents' Field goal % | 33.5 | 4th |
| 26.2 | 4th | Opponents' 3PT % | 27 | 6th |
UBC OKANAGAN HEAT (10-8, 5-3 Canada West)CIS National Ranking: //
CanWest Standings: 3rd - Explorer
Last week (Nov 27-28): 0-2 // (Fri L, 74-50), (Sat L, 62-44) at MacEwan
Streak: Lost 2
2014-15 CW Regular Season Record: 6-14
2014-15 CW Playoff Record: /
2014-15 Overall Record: 7-18
Last CW Title/Total CW Titles: NA
Last CIS Title/Total CIS Titles: NA
Kelowna BC - The 6-2 WolfPack come into Kelowna for the single Friday night game just one game ahead of the 5-3 UBC Okanagan women's basketball team in the standings. Both teams currently hold playoff spots and are trailing the Explorer division leading MacEwan Griffins, the Griffins are responsible for two of UBCO's losses and both of TRU's this season.
Over the break: After falling twice in the final games of the first semester in Edmonton the the Griffins the Heat took a few weeks off for exams. The team got together just after Christmas and after training for a few days they took out SAIT twice in a pair of exhibition games at UBC Okanagan.
| Tue. 29 | | SAIT | | W, 51-33 | | Box Score | |
| Wed. 30 | | SAIT | | W, 86-54 | | Box Score |
Key Players- The Heat are led in scoring by fourth year guard Emily Kanester, the Vernon native is averaging 12.3 points per game and has hit 13 threes (21.3%) on the season. The hard-driving guard makes the most out of slashed to the basket, converting 82.9% from the free throw line, ninth in the conference. Her ability to hit the long ball is a good indicator in the outcome. In UBCO wins she shoots the three at at 26.5% (9-34) clip. In losses just 14.8% (4-27).
Keys - Rebounding will be where the game will be decided for UBC Okanagan. The 'Pack are currently third in rebounding averaging 48.6 boards a game, a +7.3 margin. UBCO is pulling in just 37.3 boards a game (10th) at a -4.1 margin. If the Heat can control the glass on their home court they should be able to pull even with TRU in the standings.
Head to Head - (1-9) The WolfPack hold a 9-1 advantage over the Heat in their Canada West history. The Heat's lone victory against TRU came at home on Seniors day in February of 2013. Graduating guard Madison Kaneda hit a three to ice the 68-65 win.
THOMPSON RIVERS WOLFPACK (10-7, 6-2 Canada West) CIS National Ranking: //
CanWest Standings: 2nd - Explorer
Last week (Nov 27-28): 2-0 // (Fri W, 67-62), (Sat W, 80-59) vs UFV
Streak: Won 2
2014-15 CW Regular Season Record: 18-2 (won Explorer Division)
2014-15 CW Playoff Record: 1-2
2014-15 Overall Record: 19-4
Last CW Title/Total CW Titles: none
Last CIS Title/Total CIS Titles: none
The 'Pack: Head coach Scott Reeves, in his tenth season with the Kamloops team, are in second place and looking to make the post season for the fifth straight season. This is the first game between these two geographically close rivals this year.
Current Form: The WolfPack played, and defeated SAIT in late December at the Tournament Capital Centre, shaking off the rust and holding down the Trojans for a 68-44 victory. To close out their conference schedule TRU swept the UFV Cascades in Kamloops.
Roster Moves: TRU has added Jordan MacLean, third year forward from Hinton, AB. MacLean has rejoined the team after after playing two seasons at Mount Royal.
Key Players: A pair form the 'Pack are leading the way on the glass as Emma Piggin (9.8 rpg.) and Kassie Colonna (9.3 rpg.)are fourth and fifth in rebounding respectively in the conference. Emma is grabbing those boards from the guard spot.
preseason preview courtesy of Canadawest.org
Number of new players: 3
Key Recruits (Name (POS/Hometown/Last Team)): Leilani Carney (5’8” ,guard, Burnaby, BC), Madeline Neumann (5’7” guard, Calgary, AB) , Chelsey Hoey ( 5’ 11” forward, Parksville, BC)
Number of departing players: 1
Key Losses (Name (POS/number of years with team)): Jorri Duxbury (guard, Salmon Arm, BC)
Key performer: Michelle Bos (2nd year, guard, Surrey, BC)-CIS and CW Rookie All-Star. Taiysa Worsfold (5th year, guard, Kamloops, BC) third team Canada West all-star. Both CIS Academic Canadians
Coach Quote: Head Coach Scott Reeves (Canada West coach of the year): "We are excited for another season at Thompson Rivers University. We have most of our team back after graduating only one player."
Key storyline: The defending Canada West explorer division should be even stronger with the core of veterans back. They will be looking not only to win the Explorer Division for a second straight time but also to move further ahead in the post season.