Thursday, Jan. 16: Cascades (8-4, T-5th in Canada West) at TWU Spartans (3-9, T-13th in Canada West), 6 p.m., Langley Events Centre, Langley B.C.
Saturday, Jan. 18: Cascades vs. Spartans, 5 p.m., Envision Financial Athletic Centre, Abbotsford B.C.
Webcast: CanadaWest.tv presented by Co-op

THE MATCH-UP

The Spartans have won the last five head-to-head match-ups with the Cascades in conference play – UFV's most recent win in the series came on Nov. 11, 2016, and they'll be looking to snap that streak this weekend. TWU, meanwhile, is currently outside the Canada West playoff picture and will be eager to earn some wins with the season past the halfway mark.

RECENT FORM

The Cascades are winners of three in a row, clawing out a pair of tough road victories over UNBC last weekend. The Spartans, meanwhile, have dropped four straight as they weather the toughest portion of their schedule. 

CASCADES HALL OF FAME NIGHT

Saturday's home basketball games will feature a number of alumni-oriented special events. It's Cascades Hall of Fame night, and the class of 2020 – featuring builder Liz Chisholm, athlete Matt Douma, and the 1993-97 women's basketball era – will be officially inducted in an on-court ceremony at halftime of the men's basketball game.

The UFV Alumni Association is also holding its annual Alumni Night, and the first 50 alumni to RSVP will receive a free ticket along with free pizza, popcorn and pop. RSVP here

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Deanna Tuchscherer, UFV – Tuchscherer, a 6'1" forward out of Chilliwack's G.W. Graham Secondary, is putting together a campaign worthy of Canada West rookie of the year consideration. She leads all Canada West rookies and ranks 15th overall in scoring (14.1 points per game), and her 6.6 rebounds per game are good for 19th in the conference.

Nicole Fransson, TWU – Last season's CW rookie of the year is in the midst of a fine sophomore season. The 6'2" forward from Edmonton is ninth in conference scoring (16.3 ppg) and fourth in rebounding (9.2).

QUOTABLE

"It's a big rivalry, one of the biggest ones we have. We haven't had our best performances against them the last couple years. . . .  It bothers us a lot. I think for us older people, it's especially a little thorn in our side. We want these two wins." – UFV third-year guard Alexis Worrell, on her team's rivalry with TWU

"It's definitely exciting to get a sweep on the road, but I think we all know that in this league, any given team can come out and beat you. We don't play in an easy league. We can be excited about our wins, but also being aware we have to get better this week." – Worrell, reflecting on her team's performance last week vs. UNBC