CALGARY – For the second consecutive year, the University of Calgary Dinos matchup against the Regina Cougars in a Canada West semifinal series, taking place this year at the Jack Simpson Gym, Feb. 21-23.

The first two games of the series will begin at 6 p.m. in Calgary, while a potential decisive Game 3 would take place at 2 p.m.

TIMBER!
The Dinos earned their place in the Canada West semifinals with a two-game sweep of the UNBC Timberwolves in the opening round of the playoffs. Erin McIntosh led the team in scoring in Game 1, collecting 20 points in an 81-58 win. Calgary was strong at both ends of the court throughout the weekend, but showed just how tenacious their defence can be during their 92-55 Game 2 win when they held UNBC to 28.1% on field goal shooting.

EXPERIENCE REGINA
After defeating the Victoria Vikes in the Canada West quarter-finals last year, the Dinos travelled to Regina where they lost a pair of close games. Calgary responded from those defeats by beating the Trinity Western Spartans in the conference bronze medal match, earning a spot at the national tournament – in Regina. 

Calgary did not get the chance to face the Cougars at the 2018 U SPORTS Final 8, but they did battle Regina in the first weekend of the 2018-19 season. Regina took both games with late fourth-quarter surges.

While the matchup seems to always end in a close score, the Cougars have had the Dinos' number in recent years. Calgary's last regular season or playoff victory over Regina came Feb. 11, 2016 in a 95-83 overtime win.

QUOTABLE
The Dinos and Cougars finished the regular season with identical records at 17-3, but their seasons took different paths. Both of Calgary's losses this season came against U SPORTS Top 10 opponents, while Regina's setbacks came against teams that finished with 12-8 records. Calgary bench boss Damian Jennings believes this weekend's matchup features two teams playing their best basketball at the right time.

"I was very pleased with the way we performed against UNBC; we were a very tough, talented and mature group. Ultimately both teams have trended up but have perhaps gone about it in different ways."

SCOUTING REPORT
vs REGINA COUGARS 
Series Info Thursday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. (If necessary) – Jack Simpson Gym 
2018-19 Record 17-3, T-1st in Canada West (3rd in RPI)
2018-19 Leading Scorer(s) Kyanna Giles (18.4 ppg)

NOTES 

• Regina took only two games to defeat the Victoria Vikes in their conference quarter-final.
• The Cougars finished the regular season with eight straight wins, including a sweep of the Saskatchewan Huskies to end the year.
• Last season the Cougars won the Canada West Championship and finished third at the U SPORTS Final 8 at home.
• Regina's lineup features the last two national rookies of the year in Kyanna Giles and Carolina Goncalves.
• Regina finished the season third in Canada West RPI at .614.

UP NEXT
The winner of this series will advance to the Canada West Final while also securing a spot at the U SPORTS Final 8 in Toronto.