CALGARY – Fresh off a character win last week in Saskatoon, the Dinos turn their attention to the Alberta Pandas on the second-last weekend of the regular season in Canada West women's basketball.

The Battle of Alberta opens Thursday night at the Saville Community Sports Centre in Edmonton, with tip-off at 6 p.m. The series returns to Calgary Saturday, with the Dinos celebrating their graduating seniors following the 5 p.m. rematch in the Jack Simpson Gym.

DINOS HOLD OFF HUSKIES
Last weekend, the Dinos (15-1) lost their first game of the regular season to the Saskatchewan Huskies (15-1), before defeating the hosts in the second matchup of the series. Both teams remain neck-and-neck on top in Canada West, though the Dinos have the edge in the all-important RPI metric that will determine final playoff seeding.

"Clearly our fight was so much better in game two," said Dinos head coach Damian Jennings on last weekend's series versus Saskatchewan. "We have much to get better at, and that will continue till the last game of the season."

The Dinos currently possess a strong offensive leadership from third year guard Liene Stalidzane, who holds an 47.0 FG%, 14.3 PPG, and 4.1 RPG. Also holding the front are fourth year Bobbi-Jo Colburn and fifth year Erin McIntosh, with 12.5 and 11.6 PPG apiece.

PANDA WATCH!
The Pandas (14-2) are entering the weekend from a 10-game winning streak. Leading the team's strong offensive stance is fifth year guard Vanessa Wild with an average 50.7 FG%, 17.7 PPG, and 6.3 RPG. Fifth-year Megan Tywoniuk and third-year Jenna Harpe are close behind with 9.3 and 8.0 PPG each.

"(Alberta) are well-coached, talented, deep, and have a nice profile of fifth-year experience down to talented freshmen," commented Jennings. "There really isn't a weakness across the positions – we are excited about the test."

SENIOR NIGHT FEVER
The Dinos will host Senior Night in the second game of the series, to celebrate the efforts of players in their final year. In particular, the Dinos will be honouring McIntosh, Sascha Lichtenwald, Michaela Nieuwenhuizen, and club captain Anmol Mattu.

"I'm super excited for the upcoming weekend and getting to celebrate with the team and all their families," commented Lichtenwald. "But we need to focus and take care of the business on the court first, as this is a really big weekend for us with some tough competition."

SCOUTING REPORT
vs ALBERTA PANDAS
Game Info Thursday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. – Saville Community Sports Centre and Saturday, Feb. 1 at 5 p.m. – Jack Simpson Gym
2019-20 Record 14-2, 3rd in CW
2019-20 Leading Scorer Vanessa Wild (17.7 PPG)

NOTES

• The Dinos swept the season series in 2018-19 and are 5-2 head-to-head over the past four seasons
• Vanessa Wild ranks in the CW Top 5 for average PPG (17.7) and FG% (50.7)
• The Pandas (14-2) are winners of 10 straight, with their last defeat coming back on Nov. 16 in a split on the road at Victoria
• Alberta wraps up the season hosting Saskatchewan next weekend
• The Dinos have guaranteed a 15-win season for the fourth time in five years and will look to equal or surpass their 2018-19 record of 17-3 over the final four games of the season

UP NEXT
Following the series, the Dinos will face their crosstown rivals, the Mount Royal Cougars, for a two-game series starting on Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. in the Jack Simpson Gym. The action will continue on Feb. 8 at 4 p.m. as the Cougars host on Kenyon Court to wrap up the regular season.