CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos are gearing up for their last game of the season against their crosstown rivals, the Mount Royal Cougars, in a home and home series. Tipoff is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. in the Jack Simpson Gym and Saturday, Feb. 8 at 4 p.m. in Calgary Kenyon Court.

With two wins, the Dinos will clinch the top seed in the Canada West playoffs and enjoy home court advantage throughout the postseason.

DINOS BOUNCE BACK FROM WEEKEND SPLIT
Last weekend, the Dinos (16-2) split with the Alberta Pandas (15-3) in a home and home series, with both teams exchanging leads throughout both games. Ultimately, the Dinos veteran lineup pulled the team into a successful second half in game one (88-66), while the Pandas edged out the Dinos in game two (78-69).

"We did not come to out-compete (Alberta)," reflected Dinos head coach Damian Jennings. "(We) simply allowed their adjustments and perhaps the distractions of Senior Night to take us away from the task at hand."

Holding the Dinos offensive front is third year guard Liene Stalidzane from Latvia, who displays an average 46.9 FG%, 14.7 PPG, and 3.9 RPG. Alongside her are fourth year Bobbi-Jo Colburn (43.5 FG%, 13.3 PPG) and fifth year Erin MacIntosh (42.1 FG%, 12.2 PPG). Fifth year Sascha Lichtenwald also leads the team with an average 5.6 RPG.

COUGARS POUNCE FOR PLAYOFFS
Mount Royal (5-13) are currently ranked 13th in Canada West and are using this final chance in the season to secure the last playoff spot. At the forefront of the Cougars is first-year forward Jenika Martens from La Crete, Alberta, with an average 47.7 FG%, 11.6 PPG, and 7.5 RPG. The team's strengths are also contributed by second year Madison Hooper (32.4 FG%, 9.2 PPG) and fifth year Charity Marlatt (48.0 FG%, 8.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG).

"The tests don't get any easier when you go back-to-back with your historical (Alberta) and geographical (Mount Royal) rivals," said Jennings. "It is, however, exactly what we need after our performance on Saturday. (We are) excited to get back on the floor."

SCOUTING REPORT
vs MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS
Game Info Thursday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. – Jack Simpson Gym and Saturday, Feb. 8 at 4 p.m. – Kenyon Court (MRU)
2019-20 Record 5-13 (13th in CW)
2019-20 Leading Scorer Jenika Martens (11.6 PPG)

NOTES

• The Dinos hold a 12-1 winning record out of past match-ups with Mount Royal, with their only loss in 2013
• Jenika Martens and Charity Marlatt are ranked in the CW Top 10 for FG% (47.7 and 48.0, respectively)
• All of the Cougars players are from Alberta, with the exceptions of second year Maddison Hooper from Australia and third year Maria Blanco from Spain
• This is Cougars head coach Robyn Fleckenstein's first year heading the team

UP NEXT
After wrapping up the regular season, the Dinos will enjoy a first-round bye before hosting a playoff weekend Feb. 20-23 in the Jack Simpson Gym. The top two teams from the Canada West playoffs earn automatic berths to the U SPORTS national championship in Ottawa.