It's going to be a battle to the death.
The UNBC Timberwolves are in their final four games of the 2019-20 season with the women and men fighting to keep their postseason chances alive this weekend (Jan. 31 and Feb. 1) in Regina, Sask.
In Canada West basketball, the top 12 in the standings will make playoff appearances and while both UNBC teams currently hold playoff berths, their fate is in their hands.
The conference doesn't determine playoff positions by points, but rather by wins.
The women have a 7-9 record in 10th place and are in the middle of a four-game winning streak, but there's a logjam on both sides of their positioning.
The Thompson Rivers WolfPack also sits at 7-9 above UNBC.
Manitoba and Lethbridge are also at 7-9 and behind them is Mount Royal at 5-11.
There are too many scenarios currently to list, but either way, the Timberwolves will need a strong showing this weekend.
The men, on the other hand, have a larger mountain to climb if they want to play past the regular season.
Currently, they hold the 12th and final playoff spot with a record of 4-12, but they too have other teams nipping at their heels.
Mount Royal sits at 3-13 and UBC-Okanagan sits at 3-15. MacEwan is just behind them at 2-14.
Here's how Regina and the Timberwolves matchup head-to-head:
UNBC TIMBERWOLVES (WOMEN)
- Record: 7-9
- 10th in Canada West standings
- 72.4 points per game
- 70.2 points allowed per game
- Scoring Leader: Maria Mongomo (19.4 per game)
- Rebounding Leader: Maria Mongomo (9.4 per game)
- Assists Leader: Emily Holmes (3.8 per game)
- Steals Leader: Maria Mongomo (3.4 per game)
- Blocks Leader: Emma vanBruinessen (0.6 per game)
REGINA COUGARS (WOMEN)
- Record: 8-8
- Eight in Canada West standings
- 70.4 points per game
- 64.9 points allowed per game
- Scoring Leader: Emily Dewey (13.3 per game)
- Rebounding Leader: Alexi Rowden (8.1 per game)
- Assists Leader: Michaela Kleisinger (5.9 per game)
- Steals Leader: Michaela Kleisinger (1.6 per game)
- Blocks Leader: Macaela Crone (1.1 per game)
“We have four critical games coming up and we need to stay positive and focused on our goals and our game," UNBC's Emily Holmes said in a news release.
"We have control over our effort and attitude, if we can dictate those aspects, we can make playoffs.”
MATCHUP: @UNBCWomensBball takes on perennial @CanadaWest power @ReginaCougars this weekend. They’ll need to contain Michaela Kleisinger, while @UNBC freshman Rebecca Landry needs to keep her upward trajectory. Over her last seven games, she’s 12 PPG, 3 RPG, and 2 APG. #gotwolves pic.twitter.com/bKWQrCHKMu
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) January 31, 2020
UNBC TIMBERWOLVES (MEN)
- Record: 4-12
- 12th in Canada West standings
- 74.9 points per game
- 85.5 points allowed per game
- Scoring Leader: Tyrell Laing (21.6 per game)
- Rebounding Leader: Fareed Shittu (8.3 per game)
- Assists Leader: Vova Pluzhnikov (4.2 per game)
- Steals Leader: Fareed Shittu (1.0 per game)
- Blocks Leader: Fareed Shittu (1.3 per game)
REGINA COUGARS (MEN)
- Record: 7-9
- 10th in Canada West standings
- 85.2 points per game
- 83.3 points allowed per game
- Scoring Leader: Carter Millar (19.3 per game)
- Rebounding Leader: Carter Millar (10.2 per game)
- Assists Leader: Benjamin Hillis (3.6 per game)
- Steals Leader: Samuel Hillis (1.3 per game)
- Blocks Leader: Carter Millar (0.7 per game)
“The playoff standings are definitely something in the backs of our minds, but we understand the challenge at hand," UNBC's Dylon Matthews added.
"In order to secure a spot, we really need to focus these next two weeks. Our ability to close the season on a high note will determine if we can clinch that spot.”
The women tip-off both games at 4 p.m. while the men start at 6 p.m. both evenings.
MATCHUP! @UNBCBasketball knows it needs wins, and a pair of reserve guards may be the story this weekend! @ReginaCougars's Josiah Thomas & @UNBC's Chris Ross will both need to be big in an important @CanadaWest clash. Watch it live on CW TV! #gotwolves pic.twitter.com/SZ5XqRCqtI
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) January 31, 2020
