SYDNEY, NS - A season for the history books, with the final chapter yet to be written. The second-seeded Pandas will begin their quest for a second Bronze Baby Trophy in program history on Thursday afternoon, when they battle the #7 seed Acadia Axewomen. 

The Pandas and Axewomen will meet at 2:00 p.m. AT (11:00 a.m. MT) on Thursday, marking the first time ever the two schools have met at the national tournament. The winner will advance to the first semifinal at 3:00 p.m. AT on Saturday afternoon, with the loser playing in the consolation semifinal at 6:00 p.m. AT on Friday. 
 

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For the first time in their history the Pandas head into the U SPORTS Championship as the Canada West winners, capturing their first CW banner last Saturday in Calgary. And while normally the anxiety and pressure of single-elimination games at nationals are new for Canada West schools, the Pandas have thrived this season under the new playoff format. Alberta beat Fraser Valley, Saskatchewan, and Calgary in single-elimination games this month en route to the conference title and a berth at nationals. 

"We have been prepared to play in win-or-go-home games, because we have been fighting that way all playoffs," said fourth-year Pandas forward Shae McCusker. "We entered the playoffs ranked fourth, so every game has been do or die. So we are prepared for that already, and I think we even perform better under pressure right now."

The Pandas also come into nationals with a chip on their shoulder, having been the underdog in each of their last two playoff wins. And while they are seeded second in Sydney, there are no easy games once you get to the U SPORTS Championship, as the Pandas face a stiff test in the quarter-final against Acadia. 

"Acadia is a very talented offensive team. They have some wonderful scorers, including Haley McDonald, and they are a very physical team," said Pandas head coach Scott Edwards. "It's going to be a good matchup; I like our size and length against them, as well as the pace we play at. I really love the way our team has come together down the stretch this season — we have been playing our best basketball at the right time"

Unlike earlier in the season, when the Pandas relied heavily on star performances from Emma Kary, Claire Signatovich, or Jenna Harpe, the team has been more well-rounded come playoff time. The Pandas deep bench has been one of their strengths, as evidenced by every player scoring at least two points in their 76-65 win over Calgary in the conference final. 

"I'm really impressed with our team this year; it is a very talented group of athletes," continued McCusker. "We have really evolved as a team this season; at the beginning of the year we really relied on key performances on a couple players. And now it feels like we have all come together and are contributing. We are moving as a unit."

The Pandas, who have qualified for the national tournament seven times under the leadership of Edwards, will be looking to win their quarter-final game for the first time since 2009, and make their first national final since 2007. 

"I really love the way our team has come together down the stretch this season — we have been playing our best basketball at the right time," concluded Edwards. "We have been at nationals a few times over the years anxious and nervous about the games. And the times we have played well here as been when we have been relaxed, which I feel like this group is."