WBB: Timberwolves at Winnipeg Playoff Preview

Women's Basketball
February 6, 2018

February 8th
Canada West Women’s Basketball Playoffs Preview
UNBC @ Winnipeg
Friday @ 6 PM CT

UNBC Timberwolves (9-11)
10th in Canada West Standings
69.8 Points Scored Per Game
71.5 Points Allowed Per Game
Scoring Leader: Vasiliki Louka (18.2 Per Game)
Rebounding Leader: Vasiliki Louka (12.2 Per Game)
Assists Leader: Madison Landry (3.1 Per Game)
Steals Leader: Maria Mongomo (3.1 Per Game)
Blocks Leader: Vasiliki Louka (1.1 Per Game)            

Player to Watch:
Vasiliki Louka, F
18.2 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.1 BPG
No post in the entire conference put up the numbers Louka managed this season. Her 18.2 points per game were good for fourth in the conference, while she sat second in rebounds. The fourth-year from Athens, Greece is a handful in the paint, and she will need to be dominant for UNBC against the Wesmen.

Winnipeg Wesmen (14-6)
6th in Canada West Standings
71.8 Points Scored Per Game
64.0 Points Allowed Per Game
Scoring Leader: Antoinette Miller (25.9 Per Game)
Rebounding Leader: Faith Hezekiah (10.9 Per Game)
Assists Leader: Antoinette Miller (4.8 Per Game)
Steals Leader: Antoinette Miller (3.9 Per Game)
Blocks Leader: Skylar Boulanger (0.9 Per Game)

Player to Watch:
Antoinette Miller, G
25.9 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 4.8 APG, 3.9 SPG
The reigning Canada West player of the year winner is likely headed towards her second consecutive award after an incredible season. Her 25.9 points per game led the conference, her 9.1 assists were 6th, while she paced Canada West in assists with 4.9 and steals with 3.9 per game. The TWolves must try to contain the fifth-year guard.

Quotes:
UNBC’s Abby Gibb

On the Timberwolves’ mindset…
“This year, we are really ready to compete. I feel like the schedule, in a one-game elimination, is geared towards the lower seed, so we are ready to show what we have.”

On preparing for Winnipeg on short notice…
“Mentally, it’s a bit different, because we don’t have as much time to practice. At the same time, I think we are ready. We have had a bye weekend which has helped us focus in, watch some game film, and do what we need to do.”

On their 69-63 loss to the Wesmen in preseason…
“We played them in preseason, and we have multiple players who have played great in that gym. Winnipeg is a good team, so we need to come together as a team.”

On facing Canada West player of the year, Antoinette Miller…
“We need to focus on her, for sure, and get some pressure on her. We need to be willing to help out each other out defensively on switches, and help-side.”

On what these playoffs mean for the TWolves…
“This is really important. We have something to prove. We are a great team, and we are good enough to compete in this playoff spot and move on to the next round.”