WBB: Playoff Preview

Athletics
February 15, 2017
Vasiliki Louka

Canada West Women’s Basketball Playoffs

UNBC @ UBC, War Memorial Gym

Feb. 17-19 (best-of-three series)

UNBC Timberwolves (6-14)

Streak: Lost last five games

12th in Canada West standings

66.9 Points scored per game

71.2 Points allowed per game

Scoring leader: Maria Mongomo (16.1 per game)

Rebounding leader: Vasiliki Louka (9.8 per game)

Assists leader: Maria Mongomo (2.8 per game)

Steals leader: Maria Mongomo (2.5 per game)

Blocks leader: Vasiliki Louka (1.0 per game)

Player to Watch:

Vasiliki Louka

15.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.0 BPG

The battle in the paint will be crucial in this match up. Louka has established herself as one of the premier posts in the conference, particularly since Christmas. The native of Athens, Greece has scored in double figures in all 10 games in 2017, and has risen to third in Canada West in rebounding.

UBC Thunderbirds (16-4)

Streak: Won last seven games

Fifth in Canada West standings

72.8 Points scored per game

61.2 Points allowed per game

Scoring leader: Maddison Penn (18.1 per game)

Rebounding leader: Kara Spotton (7.4 per game)

Assists leader: Jessica Hanson (2.3 per game)

Steals leader: Kara Spotton (1.7 per game)

Blocks leader: Kara Spotton (1.1 per game)

Player to Watch:

Kara Spotton

12.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 1.3 APG

The fifth-year post will play an important role at both ends of the floor for UBC. Tasked with slowing Louka, Spotton will need to contribute offensively, where she averaged 12 points per game this year. The six-foot-one post paced the T-Birds in rebounding, steals, and blocks this season.

Quotes:

UNBC’s Vasiliki Louka

On qualifying for Canada West playoffs: “We achieved our goal. When we started the pre-season, we set that goal and we finally made it. It was crazy having to wait until Sunday, after our final game, but it was really exciting.”

On learning from their losses to UBC: “After halftime, we didn’t play as well. These games, we have to stay focused all 40 minutes. They have a really good program, a really good team. We are going in there ready to do our best.”

On the Timberwolves’ mindset: “These games are going to be a war. We have to give 100 per cent. We are going to play tough, run on defence, run on offence. It’s going to be a different game.”