SPARTANS HOST DINOS AND PRONGHORNS

Lauren Doubroff

WOMENS BASKETBALL (CANADA WEST)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
WEEKEND PREVIEW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPARTANS HOST DINOS AND PRONGHORNS

LANGLEY, British Columbia – The Spartans will host the University of Calgary Dinos and the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns this weekend to conclude the fall semester. The Spartans enter the weekend on a high after a weekend split with No. 7 University of Victoria. The Dinos come into this weekend’s game suffering a pair of losses at the hands of the Saskatchewan Huskies.  The Pronghorns enter the weekend at 4-4 after a weekend sweep of the University of Manitoba Bisons. The Spartans are trying to close in on the final Pacific Division playoff spot, the Dinos are trying to keep a hold of the final spots in the Prairie Division, while the Pronghorns are looking to close in on one of the final playoff spots in the Prairie Division.

DINOS
Last week the Calgary Dinos hosted the University of Saskatchewan Huskies for a 2 game home series.  The Dinos were swept by the Huskies by scores of 80-97 and 62-83.  Second year forward Alex Cole was the Dinos main source of offense over the weekend.  Cole scored 39 points in two games last weekend.  Cole also led the Dinos on the boards brining down 15 rebounds.

The Dinos have the highest powered offence in Canada West averaging 83.6 points per game.   Leading the way for the Dinos is fourth year forward Ashley Hill (Airdrie Alta.) who is averaging 17.3 points per game.  The Dinos have 3 other players who average double digits.  Cole is averaging 15.8 points per game, second year forward Robyn Gibson (Spruce Grove Alta.) is averaging 10.9 points per game, and first year guard Tamara Jarrett (Calgary) is averaging 10.0 points per game.  The Dinos have only scored under 75 points once this season and have crested the 100 mark once.

Calgary’s defence has struggled early this season and is giving up 82.0 points per game.  One strong point of the defence is their blocking ability.  They are fifth in Canada West averaging 2.5 blocks per game.  Cole is leading the team with 13 blocks on the season.  There are five Dinos who have double digit steal totals but leading the way is second year guard Megan Schaufele (Delta, B.C.) who has 18.

PRONGHORNS
Last week the Pronghorns took on the Manitoba Bison in a pair of home games.  The Pronghorns were able to sweep the Bison by scores of 98-87 and 89-61.  Leading the way for the Pronghorns on offense was third year guard Lauren Taal (Lethbridge Alta.) who had 39 points on the weekend.  A pair of Pronghorns collected 12 rebounds over the weekend.  Fourth year guard Becky Heninger (Medicine Hat Alta.) and third year guard Stephanie Price (Calgary) both had 12 rebounds.

The Pronghorns have the third best offence in Canada West averaging 75.4 points per game.  The Pronghorns have two players averaging double digits in terms of points.  Third year guard Stephanie Price (Calgary) is averaging 16.3 points per game.  Lethbridge is also very dangerous beyond the arc shooting 35.8% as a team which puts them second in Canada West.  An 80.7% average from the free throw line puts the Pronghorns in first in terms of free throw percentage.

The Pronghorns have struggled so far on the defensive side of the ball.  The Pronghorns are currently allowing 75.5 points per game ninth in Canada West.  Although the Pronghorns aren’t generating are just averaging 10.4 steals per game they have gained a +3.75 turnover margin on their opponents.  Stephanie Price is one of the reasons why recording 21 steals on the year.

SPARTANS
Last week the Spartans hosted the University of Victoria Vikes for a pair of games.  The Spartans came away from the weekend 1-1 with scores of 62-68 and 62-58.  Leading the way for the Spartans was fifth year forward Lauren Doubroff (Surrey, B.C.) who had 40 points over the weekend.  Doubroff put in extra time leading the Spartans in rebound too by snatching 22 rebounds in two games

The Spartans have struggled thus far on offense and sit last in CanWest averaging 54.2ppg.  two major contributors to the Spartans offense thus far are 5th year Lauren Doubroff (Surrey BC) and second year guard Emily Knauff (Male Ridge B.C.).  These two players are averaging 15.0 and 13.0 points per game respectively.  Lauren Doubroff is also leading the team in rebounding averaging 9.0 rebounds per game.

The Spartans defence ranks middle of the pack in terms of Canada West standings.  They rank seventh allowing 68.3 points per game.  Helping the Spartans defence are their active hands on defence averaging 12.7 steals per game.  Second year guard Emily Knauff (Maple Ridge, B.C.) and second year guard Stephanie Carkner (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) lead the team with 15 and 14 steals on the season respectively.  Third year forward Tiffany Olsen (Fanny Bay, B.C.) leads all Spartans with four block on the season.

AT A GLANCE
Spartans (2-4)
CIS Ranking not ranked
Last Week:     UVIC 62-68 L
        UVIC 62-58 W
2008 Conference: 11-12 tied for 4th in pacific
2008 CW Playoffs: 0-2
2008 CIS Championship: NA
Last CW Title: NA
Last CIS Title: NA

Dinos (5-3)
CIS Ranking: not ranked
Last week:    Sask 80-97 L
        Sask 62-83 L
2008 Conference: 8-14 3rd in central
2008 CW Playoffs:  0-2
2008 CIS Championship NA
Last CW Title:  2001
Last CIS Title: 1989

Pronghorns (4-4)
Last Week    Man 98-87 W
        Man 89-61 W
2008 Conference 5-17 4th in central
2008 CW Playoffs: NA
2008 CIS Championship: NA
Last CW Title: 1993
Last CIS Title: NA

Last Updated: 2009-11-26
Author: Scott Stewart