CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos came out of the gate quickly on Friday and refused to let go of the gas pedal in an 89-50 dismantling of the visiting Brandon Bobcats.
The Dinos' hot start was due in large part to fifth year senior Ashley Hill going three-for-three from beyond the arc within the first five minutes, giving the Dinos a 24-9 lead which forced Brandon into the early time-out.
Brandon would manage to keep within striking distance going into the break, keeping the deficit at 15. However Calgary used active defence and unselfish offence to break the game open further in the second half, using a 41-17 second half advantage to take the 39 point victory.
Hill finished with game-high 22 points, with 15 of those coming via the three point shot. Hill came into the contest averaging 14 points per game, good for seventh in the conference.
Rookie Sarah Allison had the best game of her rookie campaign thus far with the Dinos, draining 18 points largely due to five long range bombs. Third year post Alex Cole would add 12 points and eight rebounds from her post position as well.
Sophomores Tilly Ettinger and Kaitie Beard had solid games in the white and red as well, going for 9 and 8 points respectively. Beard would also add 6 rebounds in the good all-around effort.
Calgary spread the wealth very well, showing how they can be an offensive team to be reckoned with when all the pieces come together. Every active Dino registered a point on Friday, and the young squad used waves of substitutions to apply strong pressure and a good fast break attack to wear down the opposing Bobcats.
The Dinos bludgeoned the Bobcats on the boards throughout the match, ending with a 22 rebound advantage at 57-35. Brandon would struggle as well taking care of the ball, giving up 36 turnovers.
Brandon found a fairly balanced attack from their end in the losing effort, with nearly all of their players finding the scoresheet. Madison Bradbury led the Bobcats with 14 points, while Sarah Lopes chipped in eight points and five boards. Amandas Fortin was the leading rebounder, grabbing eight off the defensive glass.
Calgary Head Coach Shawnee Harle was above all pleased with her squad's defensive intensity.
“I really liked how we played on defence tonight,” said Harle, who coached the Brandon Bobcats from 1992-94. “We held them to only three total offensive rebounds, with none of those coming in the first half.”
“We really tightened up defensively in the second half as well, which opened up some great opportunities for us in transition,” Harle concluded.
Calgary improves to 2-5 with the victory, while Brandon falls to 0-7. The two teams will re-engage in action tomorrow night at the Jack Simpson Gymnasium, with tip-off set for 6 p.m.
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