Friday, Jan. 24: Cascades (10-4, 5th in Canada West) at Mount Royal Cougars (5-9, T-12th in Canada West), 5 p.m. PT
Saturday, Jan. 25: Cascades at Cougars, 3 p.m. PT
Calgary, AB
Webcast: CanadaWest.tv presented by Co-op

THE MATCH-UP

The Cascades have a solid grip on fifth place in Canada West, and can clinch a playoff berth with a pair of victories over the Cougars this weekend. That'll be easier said than done, though – Mount Royal has some solid wins on its resumé, having defeated Regina, Victoria and Lethbridge this season. Furthermore, the Cougars are in a tooth-and-nail battle for a playoff berth – they currently sit tied with UNBC for the 12th and final Canada West post-season slot.

RECENT FORM

The Cascades ran their win streak to five games after sweeping local rival Trinity Western by scores of 72-61 and 77-60. Mount Royal has lost four of its last five, splitting a home-and-home series with Lethbridge last weekend.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Taylor Claggett, UFV – The Cascades' standout forward currently leads Canada West in both scoring (19.8 points per game) and rebounding (10.9), and ranks sixth in assists (3.6). The senior, who posted double-doubles both nights vs. TWU, is in the midst of a remarkable final season.

Jenika Martens, Mount Royal – Rookie forward Martens has been a force off the bench for the Cougars, leading the team in scoring (11.6 ppg) and rebounding (7.2) in just 19.8 minutes per game. She's the only player among the top 30 scorers in Canada West who hasn't started a game this season.

QUOTABLE

"It's pretty exciting. It was definitely a roller-coaster (early in the season), but I think we were all determined to make a statement, especially all of us rookies. We want Taylor's last year to be something special. I think that was a big part of it. It's still kind of all happening, so we're not too comfortable yet because in any game in this league, anything can happen." – UFV first-year guard Nikki Cabuco, on her team's five-game win streak

"It's just making sure every single practice counts, making sure we're really focusing on the team we're playing next, and having the right mindset going into games, especially traveling." – Cabuco, on how the Cascades can maintain their momentum