CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos women's basketball team (10-4) is gearing up to host the Saskatchewan Huskies (10-2) as part of Pack The Jack this weekend at home.
 
One of the most anticipated events on the Dinos varsity calendar, Pack The Jack is an annual basketball doubleheader at the Jack Simpson Gym attracting crowds of more than 2,000 fans, making it one of the rowdiest games of the year on campus. Students can show their UCID at The Banquet in University District after Friday's game for 10 percent off their bill.
 
Both Friday and Saturday's games are scheduled to tip off at 6 p.m. and can be streamed live on Canada West TV.
 
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
 
1. HOME SWEET HOME – After splitting their weekend on the road, the Calgary women's basketball team returns to The Jack to play against the reigning Canada West champion Huskies. The Dinos have a strong home record of 8-2 and will look to defend their home turf in front of a packed crowd.
 
2. BACK AND FORTH – In the last four matchups with the Huskies, both the Calgary and Saskatchewan teams each have two wins apiece. This weekend's series will be the first regular-season showdown between the two strong programs since early in the 2019-20 season – a split in Saskatoon. The two teams also met in last year's post-season, with the top-ranked Huskies overcoming a halftime deficit to avoid the upset bid by Calgary, 72-62.
 
3. OFFENSIVE BATTLE – This weekend's series features two of the top offences in all of Canada, with Calgary averaging 75.6 points per game, and Saskatchewan topping the stat sheet with 86.3 ppg. Saskatchewan forward Carly Ahlstrom leads the way for the Huskies, averaging 19.3 ppg –placing her fourth in CW rankings, while Calgary's top point scorer, Louise Rouse, averages 15.1.
 
4. HOT HUSKIES – The Huskies are currently tied for the top spot in the Canada West conference and enter the weekend on an eight-game win streak that extends back into November. A strong team, the Huskies enter the 2022-23 season as the reigning CW champions and have won the title five out of the last six seasons.
 
5. QUOTABLE – "We are excited to get back to The Jack and our Dino fans. We continue to focus on our defensive consistency as we continue to take on very challenging opponents since the start of 2023," Dinos head coach Damian Jennings said. "Although disappointing to lose on night two to UFV, that was the most complete defensive performance weekend from the players to date. If they continue to stay hungry and not satisfied, then we will continue to trend in a direction of 'growth' leading into the final three weekends of regular season play."
 
-UC-