CALGARY – A solid opening half and a season-best defensive performance vaulted the fifth-ranked University of Calgary Dinos to a 76-50 decision over the Saskatchewan Huskies Friday night in the Jack Simpson Gym.
BOX SCORE
The Dinos jumped out to an 11-point lead after the opening quarter and did not look back, never trailing en route to their 11th victory of the season. The win keeps the Dinos four games in front of the Alberta Golden Bears, who squeaked past Lethbridge Friday night in Edmonton, while dropping the Huskies (6-7) back to third place in the Central Division standings.
“After last Saturday's performance (a 78-62 loss to Alberta), our guys were determined to come out better, and we had way more energy tonight,” said Dan Vanhooren, in his eighth season as head coach of the Dinos. “It's a big win for us. We played well on defence, and our zone was working so well we didn't have to play a lot of man-to-man.”
The Dinos received contributions from the entire roster, with Robbie Sihota's 31 being the highest minute total of any player. Freshmen Andy Rochon and Dominyc Coward played 18 and 23 minutes, respectively, scoring 17 points between them, and Vanhooren was pleased that several bench players were able to get the opportunity to play.
“It helps us for tomorrow and it helps us get those guys some experience so when we get into the playoffs and in foul trouble, we have guys with the experience to go out there and contribute,” he said.
While the Dinos succeeded without star Henry Bekkering, who missed his third straight conference game with a neck injury, the Huskies' star guard Showron Glover was held in check most of the night by the Calgary defence. Glover, who leads the conference in scoring, had 11 at the half and was held to just two late free throws in the second 20 minutes to finish with 13 on a frustrating night for the men in green. Saskatchewan made just 19 field goals on the night, shot less than 28 per cent, and committed 25 turnovers. Glover's 13 was matched by Mac Fairbairn, while Troy Gottselig led all players with 11 rebounds.
“This was a different kind of game to be in, and I don't think it's fair to judge him based on tonight's performance,” Vanhooren said of Glover, who averaged 25 per night in the teams' first two meetings of the season last November in Saskatoon. “I'm sure he'll come out fired up tomorrow night.”
Henry Bekkering is expected to return to the Calgary lineup in next weekend's two-game trip to Lethbridge.
Calgary struck early to go up 8-1, and the Huskies did not hit a field goal until nearly halfway through the opening quarter. Sloppy play on both sides was the story in the middle two quarters, with the Dinos holding their visitors to just eight points in the second. As the Calgary lead grew, so did the playing time for much of the Dinos' bench, and the entire roster finished with at least seven minutes of playing time.
Ross Bekkering scored 17 to lead the hosts on 5-of-8 shooting, including two treys. Sihota added 14 in a bounce-back game for him, while Tyler Fidler and Coward each had 13 on the night. Fidler led Calgary in rebounds with nine, with Bekkering close behind him at eight and Coward with seven.
The win gives Calgary the season series over the Huskies, having swept all three games played so far. Saskatchewan remains in town Saturday night to play their fourth and final game of the year against the Dinos, with tip-off slated for 8 p.m.
-UC-
