WINNIPEG - Rookie Tilly Ettinger only scored three points for the Calgary Dinos Friday night at the IGAC in Winnipeg, but two of them were the biggest points of the night.

BOX SCORE

With the score tied 77-77 and just 11 seconds left, Ettinger made a spectacular no-look, behind-the-back shot from directly under the hoop to lead the Dinos to a 79-77 win over the Manitoba Bisons.

It was Manitoba's first loss of the season as they fall to 2-1, thile the Dinos improve to that same 2-1 mark.

The Bisons weren't giving up against the Dinos going into the final minute and a half. Kayla Klassen hit a critical three for Manitoba to tie the game with 14 seconds left. After Ettinger gave the Dinos their two-point lead with 11 seconds left, a Manitoba turnover in the dying seconds - one of 10 in the quarter - gave the win to the Dinos.

The game started slow as both teams were off the mark with their passes and hit lots of rim, but no net. Combined the teams had 15 turnovers in the opening quarter.

Slowly the scoring started to materialize. Led by Michele Hynes and her crafty play, the Bison took a six point lead into break, limiting the Dinos to only 12 shots.

Coming out of their extinction, the Dinos snapped to life in the second quarter. With eight points in the half, Ashley Hill led the way for the Dinos as they vastly improved their field goal percentage to 50 per cent. The Bisons couldn't keep their first quarter momentum going as they went cold from the field. Even though they were dominant on the boards, with 26 in the first half, the Bison went into the half down 42-37.

The Dinos continued their strong play into the third quarter. Continuing with their hot shooting, they held a lead as big as nine. But the Bison gave their home crowd something to cheer about. Kait Flett had seven points in the quarter and Hynes added four assists as the Bison closed the gap to two points going into the fourth quarter.

Ashley Hill of the Dinos finished with a game high 23 points. Three other Dinos made double digits, with Alex Cole, Robyn Gibson, and Tamara Jarrett each potting 10.

The Bisons were inconsistent from the field, shooting only 30 per cent in the game. They were led by Klassen's 20 points and Flett's 15. Both players had double-doubles.

The teams close out their weekend series Saturday night at the INvestors Group Athletic Centre, with tip-off at 5 p.m. MT. 

-30-