CALGARY – After wrapping up a successful regular season, the top-seeded University of Calgary Dinos are gearing up to host the conference quarter- and semifinals in the Jack Simpson Gym. Thursday night the Dinos will square off against the UNBC Timberwolves at 6 p.m., followed by a faceoff between the Alberta Pandas and Fraser Valley Cascades at 8 p.m. The winners from each will advance to the semifinal on Friday, Feb. 21 at 4:30 p.m.

HOME COURT ALL THE WAY
All season long, the Dinos' (18-2) powerful offensive strategy have led the team to consistent victories, with the only losses to Saskatchewan and Alberta. Leading the front are third-year guard Liene Stalidzane (14.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 46.3 FG%), fourth-year wing Bobbi-Jo Colburn (13.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 43.5 FG%), and fifth-year wing Erin McIntosh (12.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 42.0 FG%). They finished atop the RPI standings used to seed the Canada West playoffs, and will enjoy home-court advantage throughout the conference postseason.

"Our 18-2 finish has displayed the ability to win whilst not always playing to a performance or standard we expect of ourselves," said Dinos head coach Damian Jennings. "This is a promising sign moving forward, as we look to be more polished, but also maintain that character-grit through the playoffs."

SADDLING UP FOR A SHOWDOWN
Despite the success in the regular season, the Dinos are working harder than ever to strengthen their efforts and playoffs strategy.

"With the first round bye, we had a good week of hard practices," commented Stalidzane. "Our main focus throughout the playoffs is to have that 40 minute game mentality, with no big dips and "next play" focus. If we commit to playing with pace, playing unselfishly, and playing aggressively, I think we are going to be hard to beat."

The winner of Friday afternoon's conference semifinal will head to next week's Canada West championship game while also qualifying for the U SPORTS Final 8 national championship in Ottawa.

TIMBERWOLVES UP FIRST
The Dinos open against UNBC, a team they swept in early January with scores of 71-46 and 67-58. It's the second straight year the Dinos will face the Timberwolves in the playoffs, sweeping a best-of-three quarter-final series a year ago. UNBC arrives in the quarter-final by virtue of its overtime win at Lethbridge in the 'play-in' round last week, and the T-Wolves feature the leading scorer in Canada West, Maria Mongomo.

SCOUTING REPORT

UNBC TIMBERWOLVES
Record 11-9 (8th in CW)
Leading Scorer Maria Mongomo (20.1 PPG)


NOTES

• UNBC has an overall team average of 73.6 PPG
• Fifth year guard Maria Mongomo is ranked first in CW for PPG (20.1) and sixth for RPG (9.8)
• Calgary has defeated UNBC in all their past matchups (9-0)

ALBERTA PANDAS
Record 16-4 (4th in CW)
Leading Scorer Vanessa Wild (18.0 PPG)


NOTES

• Last season, Alberta lost to Lethbridge in the CW quarterfinals (0-2)
• Fourth year forward Brooklyn Legault is ranked second in the CW standings for average FG% (52.4), while fifth year guard Vanessa Wild is ranked fifth in average PPG (18.0) and seventh in FG% (49.6)
• As historic rivals, Calgary and Alberta have always come head-to-head in past battles, with an 88-66 and 78-69 split this season

FRASER VALLEY CASCADES
Record 16-4 (5th in CW)
Leading Scorer Taylor Claggett (19.6 PPG)


NOTES

• UFV are on a 12-win streak, the longest out of any CW team currently
• Fifth year forward Taylor Claggett leads the CW rankings in average RPG (10.4) and sits second in PPG (19.6)
• In their preseason matchups against UFV this year, the Dinos pulled two close victories (56-53 and 66-58)

UP NEXT
The winning teams from both semifinal games, hosted by Calgary and Saskatchewan, will advance to the CW final, hosted by the highest remaining seed. If the Dinos advance, they'll host the conference championship Feb. 28.

-UC-