BOX SCORE
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. - The University of Calgary Dinos' playoff hopes took a severe setback Saturday night as the Lethbridge Pronghorns completed a two-game sweep with an 80-72 win at the 1st Choice Savings Centre.
The loss drops Calgary to 4-10 on the season with six games remaining, and a schedule that will likely require at least eight wins to qualify for the postseason. Lethbridge, now 7-7, solidified its chances of making the playoffs with the big series sweep - their first in 12 years over their provincial rivals.
The game was marked by poor shooting percentages and foul trouble for both teams, but the 'Horns found a way to get the victory.
Lethbridge depended on scoring from many sources, but were led by Alex Fletcher's four treys and 14 points, while point guard Daryl Cooper and post Derek Waldner each added 13. Tyson McIntyre's 11 rebounds, most of which were earned while star forward Dom Coward sat on the bench in foul trouble, proved crucial to the team's success.
Once again, Dinos point guard
Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson led his team with 16 points and also distributed eight assists.
Boris Bakovic and
Josh Owen-Thomas each put in 13.
Though Saturday's game lacked some of the electricity of the previous night, it still proved to be a battle typical of a Calgary-Lethbridge matchup as the decision came down to the final minutes of play. The 'Horns edged out a lead by the end of the first frame, ending in a 24-17 advantage for the home side. The second quarter proved to be a defensive battle with stifling defense from both teams ending the half at 36-26 in favor of Lethbridge. The Dinos outscored the 'Horns in the third quarter, but they still found themselves down four heading into the fourth.
Two minutes into the final quarter, Bakovic earned a Dinos lead - their first since three minutes into the game - but 'Horns guard Julian Spearchief-Morris answered with a three that brought his team's lead to two. Bakovic responded with a fast break lay-in to tie up the score at 58, but Spearchief-Morris ended the conversation with a lay-up of his own that earned a 'Horns advantage that they would expand until the buzzer. Though the Dinos hit a dangerous four threes in the final three minutes of play, quality free throw shooting and intelligent ball management down the stretch maintained a 'Horns lead, sealed by a huge Waldner dunk of an inbound pass from Fletcher with 14 seconds left.
The Dinos are in virtual must-win situation for the rest of the season, beginning with a visit from the Alberta Golden Bears Jan. 27-28 in the Jack Simpson Gym. Tip-off for both games goes at 8 p.m. MT, live on CanadaWest.tv.
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