WINNIPEG – The University of Calgary Dinos opened the 2008-09 Canada West season with a key road win Friday night, riding a strong opening half to a 74-62 win over the Manitoba Bisons at the Investors Group Athletic Centre in Winnipeg.
BOX SCORE
While the Dinos made 23 of 27 free throws, Manitoba only managed to sink 4 of 10.
Bison women's head coach Pam Danis said, "Games are won and lost from the foul line and we lost that battle. We also turned the ball over too much and Calgary took advantage. We got to be more disciplined."
The Dinos coaching staff, meanwhile, was pleased with the result.
"We had balanced scoring tonight, though our first half was much better than our second half," said associate coach Claire Mitton. "We have only three players who have ever been in this gym before, and we responded well. All in all it was a great way to start Canada West play this season."
The Bisons, who now haven't beaten Calgary in Canada West play for three seasons, played hard throughout the game and got a strong 15-point effort from co-captain and guard Michele Hynes. Top scorers for the Dinos were post Whitney Haswell and forward Ashley Hill who each put up 17 points.
Calgary started out fast, using their strong defense to capitalize on Bison turnovers and built an eight-point lead at the end of the first quarter.
Calgary continued their strong play in second quarter, driving to the basket and going 13 for 15 from the foul line by the end of the half. The Bisons, meanwhile, only went to the line twice in the half, making both free throws.
With the Dinos ahead by 17 points nearing the end of the half, Calgary head coach Shawnee Harle urged her team to maintain pressure from the sidelines. She called a timeout with 1:10 left on the clock to stop a late Bison push and ended the half with a 39-25 lead.
Manitoba's offence came out stronger in the third quarter, scoring 22 points but couldn't keep Calgary off the score sheet as the Dinos scored 20 points, matching the Bisons basket for basket.
The Bisons cut the Dinos' lead to nine with 2:26 to play, but couldn't close the gap, losing by a final score of 74-62.
The Bisons will look for their first in-conference win when they continue their new season on Saturday, October 25. The Bisons host the Lethbridge Pronghorns, who are without their three top point producers from last year's team. Calgary heads across town to face the Winnipeg Wesmen, with tip-off set for 5 p.m. MT.
-30-
