CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos women's basketball team begins the 2018-19 regular season with back-to-back games against the University of Regina Cougars this weekend. Friday's tipoff will be at 6 p.m., followed by 5 p.m. on Saturday. Both matches will take place in the Jack Simpson Gym.

The Dinos head into the season ranked No. 3 in the Canada West preseason coaches' poll, following their conference bronze medal and fifth-place finish at the U SPORTS championship a year ago.

YOUNG TALENT
Without the presence of any seniors on this season's Dinos squad, a young team is eager to prove themselves. The Dinos will look to establish new leadership quickly as regular season action approaches. This situation should only help an already talented young roster gain plenty of maturity this season.

PROMISING PRESEASON
The Dinos are coming off an impressive preseason performance, boasting a 6-1 record. The final game before the team's regular season open was a dominant 78-40 win over the Trinity Western Spartans. The team showed that a lack of senior players was no hindrance to their play. Last season the Regina Cougars finished with a better record than the Dinos, but the 2018-19 preseason has told a different story. The Dinos will match up with the Cougars this weekend having recorded more preseason wins than the opposing Regina squad.

BREAKOUT PLAYER
With the loss of Brianna Ghali, there is room for the emergence of new offence threats for the Dinos. Following an impressive performance in last week's preseason game against Trinity Western, Bobbi Jo Colburn will be a player to watch in the upcoming season. Having already proven herself to be an offensive force last season (10.4 PPG), Colburn is looking to improve even further after recording an outstanding 16 points and 10 rebounds against the Spartans last weekend.

SCOUTING REPORT
vs REGINA COUGARS
Match Info Friday, Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. – Jack Simpson Gym
2017 Record 18-0-2, 1st in Canada West Conference
Player to Watch Kyanna Giles (17.1 PPG and 7.5 RPG last season) 


NOTES

• The Cougars are coming off a 5-3 preseason record, finishing on a 2-game win streak
• Lost arguably their second-best player, 5th year Charlotte Kot, following the 2017/18 season
• The Cougars have the reigning rookie of the year, Carolina Goncalves
• Lost 74-71 to Saskatchewan in the semifinals of the U Sports Final 8 last season
• Gave up 3.1 more point per game than Calgary last regular season

UP NEXT
Following their opening weekend home games, the Dinos will again play a home game against the University of Alberta Pandas on Thursday, followed by a road game against the Pandas in Edmonton on Saturday.