BOX SCORE CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos shot out to a big lead in the early going and held on for a 73-54 win over the Manitoba Bisons Friday night, giving new head coach Damian Jennings his first career CIS win on opening night in the Jack Simpson Gym.

Winning every quarter on the night, Calgary shot out to an 18-0 lead in the first 5:31 of the game before Sheree Carmona-Galdamez finally broke the shutout with nearly six minutes elapsed in the game. The Bisons made a run late in the quarter and came within six, but that was as close as they would get as the Dinos went wire-to-wire for the win.

“From our point of view, getting our first home opener done and with a win, we're pleased,” said Jennings. “The way we started the game is the way we're aspiring to play. We disappointed ourselves at the end of the first and in the second quarter, particularly, but it was more controlled in the second half. We still need to take care of the style we want to play.

“There was a lot more composure in the second half, but we played with great energy in the first six minutes. We'll try to tighten those things up tomorrow.”

A jumper by fifth-year forward Jessica Franz started things off on the right foot for the Dinos just 15 seconds into the ball game and thanks to a half-dozen from her, six from Tamara Jarrett, and five from Ashley Hirons, Calgary shot out to the 18-0 lead. From there, though, the Bisons began to find their offensive rhythm and managed to finish the opening quarter on a 16-4 run as Calgary took a 22-16 lead into the break.

That lead extended to nine at 42-33 after the opening half, with both teams shooting at least 40 per cent in the first 20 minutes. Those numbers plummeted after the break, however, with the Bisons managing just eight field goals on 30 tries in the second half while the Dinos fared little better at 10-37. The two teams combined for just 43-of-125 shooting from the field – but the difference in the game came on the offensive glass.

While the Bisons managed six second chances on the night, Calgary picked up 26 offensive rebounds and out-boarded Manitoba 56-33 on the night. That led to 23 second chance points for the Dinos against just two for the visitors.

Franz led all players with her 16-point effort, adding seven rebounds, while Jarrett picked up 10 points and eight off the glass. Hirons and Esther Graff contributed eight apiece, with Kristie Sheils and Megan Schaufele adding seven each for the Dinos.

For Manitoba, the tandem of Carmona-Galdames and Stephanie Gill combined for 23 of the Bisons' 54 points, with Gill's 13 leading the way. Robyn Eyer chipped in with eight off the bench, while Brittany Koop added seven.

Manitoba committed 27 turnovers on the night against Calgary's 18, while Sheils and Jarrett each picked up four assists to contribute to the Dinos' total of 14.

The Dinos and Bisons meet up once more to close their weekend series Saturday night, with tip-off at 5 p.m. MT in the Jack Simpson Gym.

-UC-