CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos will see one of the best players in Canada roll into the Jack Simpson this weekend, as reigning Canada West MVP Antoinette Miller leads the Winnipeg Wesmen into action. After splitting with the UBC Thunderbirds last weekend, Calgary will be in for another strong test against the team that went a league-best 18-2 last season.
DETAILS:
Date: Saturday, November 11th and Saturday November 12th
Start time: 5 p.m. MT Saturday and 2 p.m. MT Sunday
Venue: Jack Simpson Gym
HEADLINES:
- After winning 2017 CW MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, Miller has picked up right where she left off, averaging a league-best 32 points so far this season, while also second in rebounding at 10.5 per game.
- Calgary is looking to rebound after a tough first loss of the season at home last week against UBC, which came a day after they blew out the Thunderbirds.
CALGARY DINOS 3-1 (11-9 in 2017)
Last result: 62-59 loss to UBC
- Calgary went from dominant to disappointed in their first home series to UBC, after beating the T-Birds 64-35 to losing by three the next night. After holding UBC to just two points in the entire fourth quarter in Game 1, it was Calgary that went cold in the fourth in Game 2, scoring only nine as UBC's All-Canadian Maddison Penn dropped 35.
- Despite the first loss, Calgary has shown its defensive ability early on this season. Through four games the team ranks first in points per game allowed (49.3), opponents three-point percentage (17.3) and steals (15/game).
- On offence, Calgary has been aggressive from three-point territory, leading the conference in both made threes per game (9) and attempts (27). The team's all-star last season, Brianna Ghali, is once again leading in scoring at 16.3 points per game.
- Like their matchup against UBC, this will be the first games between the two teams since November of 2015, a series in Calgary which the Dinos split: a 51-72 loss, followed by a 69-47 victory.
WINNIPEG WESMEN 2-2 (18-2 in 2017)
Last result: 78-77 loss to Alberta
- Winnipeg went down to the wire against the Alberta Pandas last weekend at home in the second game of their series. After the visitors hit two free throws to go up one with three seconds remaining, the Wesmen would turn the ball over and fall to 2-2. They already have as many losses as they had all of last year.
- As expected, Miller has been on a tear this season, leading the conference in scoring once again at 32 points per game. In the second loss to Alberta, the Phoenix, AZ native put up a career-high 43 points.
- Winnipeg is coming off its best result ever last season, winning a bronze medal in the Canada West playoffs against Alberta. But with the loss of veterans Kerri Kuzbyt and Megan Noonan, the team will lean heavily on Miller, as well as third-year Faith Hezekiah.
- Along with Miller's offensive power, Winnipeg has been one of most disciplined teams in Canada West. The Wesmen currently lead the conference in personal fouls per game at just 13.5, as well as turnovers at 11.3 However, they have struggled in rebounding and in assists, at just 9.8 per game, which is second-last.
