CALGARY – With 28 points to make up in order to get to third all-time on the Calgary Dinos scoring list, some thought it would take Ashley Hill multiple games to do it. The fifth year senior did six points better on Friday night, leading her Dinos to an 80-62 victory over the Trinity Western Spartans in the process.
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“It's pretty surreal,” said Hill of taking over third place. “I go through my career not really thinking about beating records, but it's pretty cool knowing I'm up there.
“I know when I'm on my game, it brings up the level of the team,” Hill continued. “My teammates respond well to it, and it often results in victories, which we need right now.”
Hill scored 34 points in the terrific all-around effort, going 12 for 17 from the floor, including four three pointers. The Airdrie, Alta. native went 6 for 7 from the line, and added four rebounds and three assists for good measure. Her 34 points was only two points shy of her career high, which she recorded in 2008 against the Fraser Valley Cascades.
Her 1,464 career points pass Janis Paskevich, who had 1,458 in her illustrious career for Calgary. Paskevich was a Nan Copp award winning player for the Dinos, winning the country's MVP award in 1981. 2001 BLG winner Leighann Doan remains well on top of the team's scoring list with 1,958.
Head Coach Shawnee Harle acknowledged her senior's terrific performance.
“It goes without saying that Ashley Hill was a 'wow' tonight,” said Harle, who coached Doan as well in her career. “She just put herself ahead of some big-time names here at the U of C, and it's a huge accomplishment for her, especially considering she gets guarded by the other team's best player every single night.”
In terms of current importance however, the Dinos (5-10) desperately needed Friday's victory, and got it despite a sluggish first half against the Spartans (1-14). Calgary held only a one-point advantage against the Spartans at the break, leading 26-25 in an uncharacteristically low scoring fashion.
The Dinos came alive following the breather however, scoring 54 points in the next two quarters. This was largely due to their up-tempo pressure, which seemed to wear Trinity Western down after a successful first half weathering the storm. Calgary forced 18 turnovers in the second half, and had a terrific 13 of their 17 steals as well. Megan Schaufele, a third year guard for the Dinos, led the squad with an eye-popping six of them to her credit.
Tiffany Olsen was sensational in the losing effort for the Spartans, pulling down a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds. The Dinos had no answer for her down low, where she deposited the majority of her seven field goals. Olsen went 9 for 11 from the line as well, taking seven more shots than her next closest teammate.
No other Spartan would see double-digits, but Corina Reimer made her presence felt, posting eight points and eight assists. Trinity did manage to out-rebound the host squad as a team, taking a 43-40 advantage.
Alex Cole had 15 points and seven rebounds for Calgary, while Lauren Deane led the team with 10 boards to complement six points.
Coach Harle recognizes the importance of each game as the Dinos attempt to fight their way into the Canada West playoff picture.
“Every victory from here on in is important; we're fighting for our lives right now,” the coach said. “We have nine games left, and we just need to get it together and be more consistent. We're so much better than what we're showing on a regular basis.
“I thought we were very average in the first half today, but I thought that was because Trinity was so much better than average,” Harle continued. “We were able to turn it around in the fourth quarter though, where I thought we did good things defensively. It certainly doesn't hurt to get 34 points from Ashley either.”
The Dinos and Spartans re-engage tomorrow night for the weekend rematch, with tip-off set for 6 p.m. at the Jack Simpson Gym.
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY DINOS
Women's Basketball - All-time Scoring list
as of Friday, Jan. 21, 2011
1. Leighann Doan (1,958) - 1997-2001
2. Meagan Koch (1,644) - 1992-96
3. Ashley Hill (1,464) - 2007-present
4. Janis Paskevich (1,458) - 1978-82
5. Tanya Hautala (1,391) - 2002-06
6. Veronica VanderSchee (1,335) - 1986-90
7. Lindsay Maundrell (1,278) - 2003-07
8. Lisa Bacigalupi (1,252) - 1991-95
9. Jodi Evans (1,049) - 1986-91
10. Courtney Coyle (1,017) - 2006-09
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