GAME DATE: Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011
GAME TIME: 6:15 p.m. (CKHS)
LIVE WEBCAST: www.canadawest.tv

After rolling through the non-conference schedule with an impressive 10-1 record, the No. 1-ranked University of Regina's women's basketball team opens up Canada West play at home this Saturday against provincial rival Saskatchewan.

The Cougars lose Gabrielle Gheyssen and Anne Mercer from last year's roster but return three starters, including second-team All-Canadian and first-team Canada West all-star guard Joanna Zalesiak, conference second-team all-star forward Lindsay Ledingham, and fourth-year guard Danielle Schmidt.

After missing the entire 2010-11 season to a knee injury, former first-team all-star Brittany Read is quickly getting back into game shape for the Cougars. The fourth-year post led all Regina players in rebounding despite only averaging less than 18 minutes per game through the non-conference schedule.

The team's major addition is guard Michelle Clark, who hails from Westlake Village, Calif. and transferred from Purdue University to the U of R to pursue a master's degree. Clark has been spectacular since joining the Cougars and has already broken the 30-point barrier, dropping 34 on McGill in a non-conference game two weekends ago.

Sixth-year head coach Dave Taylor also expects to get major contributions from fifth-year guard Carly Graham, who set the school single-season three-pointers record last season and continues to be a threat from the perimeter.

Third-year post Megan Chamberlin has averaged over 20 minutes per game this season, while rookies Alyssia Kajati and Madi Docherty have also seen regular time in the rotation. The roster is rounded out by second-year posts Jennilea Coppola and Kayla Hannah and second-year guard Taylor Pelletier.

Saturday is shaping up to be an early-season battle between two titans, as Saskatchewan comes into the game ranked No. 4 in the CIS. The Huskies lose five of their top six scorers from last season, including conference first-team all-stars Kim Tulloch and Jill Humbert, but still put together a sterling 6-1 record in their seven non-conference games this year.

Leading Saskatchewan's crop of returning players is Katie Miyazaki, who was named the CIS Defensive Player of the Year last season. The Huskies are guided by 14th-year head coach Lisa Thomaidis, the reigning CIS Coach of the Year.

The two teams will also close out the Canada West schedule against each other on Friday, Feb. 18 in Saskatoon.