Thursday, Jan. 13: Cascades (7-1, 2nd in West Division) at TWU Spartans (8-0, 1st in West Division), 6 p.m.
Langley Events Centre
Webcast: CanadaWest.tv presented by Co-op

THE MATCH-UP

The Cascades' next three games, all vs. the Spartans, will go a long way towards deciding first place in the West Division – and the accompanying bye to the Canada West quarter-finals that goes along with it. This local rivalry is always hotly contested, and the stakes are even higher in the 2022 edition.

Thursday's game could shape up to be a defensive battle, as both teams have excelled in that department this season. UFV leads Canada West in opponents' field goal percentage (28.2 per cent) and sits second in points allowed per game (55.1); TWU ranks fourth in both of those categories, allowing opponents to shoot 33.9 per cent from the field for an average of 61.4 points.

RECENT FORM

The Cascades are coming off an impressive road sweep of the UBC Okanagan Heat – despite the fact that top scorer Deanna Tuchscherer was sidelined, they won both games in Kelowna last weekend by scores of 75-69 and 66-48, extending their win streak to five.

The Spartans' entire CW slate thus far has been one long win streak – they opened 2022 with a pair of road victories vs. Thompson Rivers, fending off the WolfPack's upset bid 83-80 last Friday and following up with a 73-50 blowout on Saturday.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Maddy Gobeil, UFV – The reigning Canada West women's basketball player of the week made an impactful return to the lineup following an injury absence, notching double-doubles both nights at UBCO. The sophomore point guard's stat profile is awfully impressive – she leads the nation in steals (3.6 per game), and is one of just two players in CW to rank among the conference's top 10 in points, rebounds, assists and steals.

Nicole Fransson, TWU – The 6'2" centre has come up huge for the Spartans this season. She's averaging a double-double (17.8 points, 12.5 rebounds), ranking seventh and second, respectively, in CW in those categories. Slowing her down in the paint will be a primary focus for the Cascades on Thursday.

QUOTABLE

"These are very important games, and we're really focusing on doing everything we can to prepare in practice. They've been a rival of ours for the last few years. They have people who can play on the perimeter and play inside – I just think we need to make sure our defence is locked in, staying on our checks and making sure we're not giving them anything easy." – Cascades forward Natalie Rathler, on the match-up with the Spartans

"I went into those games knowing I was going to playing a different role with Deanna out. I was focusing on not setting expectations for myself, just going into the game playing how I know how to play. I wanted to just work my butt off for 40 minutes or however long I was in there, and it ended up paying off." – Rathler, reflecting on a career-high scoring weekend vs. UBCO (she averaged 16.5 points over two games)

"Fransson is a strong player, a quick player. She knows how to get her shots in the 15-foot range, and she knows how to get to the rim. I think it's a matter of knowing how she likes to finish, and trying to take that away from her." – Rathler, on preparing to guard Spartan standout Nicole Fransson