KELOWNA, B.C. - As the 2023-24 Canada West court sport regular season approaches it's conclusion, the UBC Okanagan Heat basketball teams host the MacEwan Griffins this weekend, while women's volleyball takes on the Regina Cougars on the road.

Firefighter Appreciation Night
This upcoming Friday night, February 2, the UBC Okanagan Department of Athletics and Recreation will host their Firefighter Appreciation Night when the Heat basketball teams play host to the MacEwan Griffins at the UBCO Gymnasium.

During the evening, the Kelowna Fire Department will have a firetruck on site for tours prior to the start of the men's game. In addition, they will be on site selling t-shirts and calendars for fundraising purposes. Then, prior to tip-off of the men's game at 7 p.m., fans will have the opportunity to thank the firefighters in attendance followed by a ceremonial tip-off, featuring firefighters as well as members of the UBCO community.

AT HOME
Women's Basketball
February 2nd vs MacEwan Griffins - 5 PM - UBCO Gymnasium
February 3rd vs MacEwan Griffins - 4 PM - UBCO Gymnasium

The Heat women (7-9) play host to the MacEwan Griffins (1-15) this weekend as the push for the playoff intensifies. The two schools last met during the 2022 playoffs when the Griffins bested the Heat 69-63. UBCO hold a 2-4 record all-time at home against MacEwan but haven't met the Griffins in regular season play since 2018-19. Sofia Ainsa Lluch, Jaeli Ibbetson, Rachel Hettinga will be honoured on Saturday as graduating seniors. The trio has made up just over 50 percent of the Heat's scoring this season. UBCO sits firmly in the 12-team playoff picture, holding down ninth place in the conference. Leading the Griffins in scoring this season is Nicole Kilbreath with 15.1 points per game and notably recorded a 39-point outing two weeks ago against the Brandon Bobcats.

Men's Basketball
February 2nd vs MacEwan Griffins - 7 PM - UBCO Gymnasium
February 3rd vs MacEwan Grffins - 6 PM - UBCO Gymnasium

The Heat men (4-12) welcome the winless MacEwan Griffins (0-16) to the Furnace this weekend as they sit two games out of the Canada West playoff picture. Needing wins to remain in the playoff hunt, the Heat will lean on leading scorer Jalen Shirely, who ranks top-20 in the conference in points, steals, assists and three-point percentage. When the schools last met, in January of 2019, the Heat came out with a two-game sweep. Over that series UBCO's Hafith Moallin averaged 15 points, 8.5 rebounds and four assists. The Griffins will rely on their starting guard Matthew Osunde who leads the conference in minutes per game this season. Osunde has played 35+ minutes in 10 of his team's last 11 outings.

ON THE ROAD
Women's Volleyball
February 2nd at Regina Cougars - 4 PM (PT) - Regina, Sask.
February 3rd at Regina Cougars - 4 PM (PT) - Regina, Sask.

The Heat women (7-11) are coming off a bye weekend and are on the road as they face the Regina Cougars (1-17).  The Heat currently hold a 13-7 all-time record against the Cougars and have swept their eastern opponent on six separate occasions. The push for playoffs remains strong as the women remain in a three way tie for seventh place in the Canada West standings with the top-eight programs reaching post-season play. The Heat will look to senior setter Abigail Dueck to lead the team this weekend as the fourth-year recently moved into second on the Heat's all-time assists list with 1592.