BOX SCORE CALGARY – The No. 5-ranked University of Calgary Dinos didn't lead until the fourth quarter, but were able to stave off an upset bid by the Alberta Pandas with a 66-56 victory on Friday night in a Canada West semi-final game at the Jack Simpson Gymnasium.

The Dinos advance to their first Canada West championship game since 2001 and will take on the Regina Cougars Saturday night for the conference title. Tip-off goes at 7 p.m. in the Jack as the Dinos search for the eighth Canada West title in program history. Importantly, the win also qualified the Dinos for the CIS Final 8 March 15-17 in Regina.
 
Jessica Franz had a big game for the Dinos, scoring a game-high 23 points and adding nine rebounds to fall just short of a double-double. Megan Schaufele added 15 points while Tamara Jarrett chipped in with 12 for the Dinos, who improve their postseason record to 3-0.
 
Sally Hillier led Alberta with 11 points.

The Dinos had to mount a major comeback after going down by 15 points in the opening half, but they took control late to emerge with the 10-point win.

“It obviously wasn't the start we wanted, but the players showed once again their resilience and 'never-give-up' attitude,” said Canada West coach of the year Damian Jennings. “We are of course pleased to have made it to nationals, but I know this group won't be happy to settle for a silver medal tomorrow.”
 
It was all Alberta early on in Friday's game, as the No. 10-ranked Pandas outscored the host Dinos by a 19-7 margin in the first quarter. Sparked by solid play off the bench from both Hillier and Kendra Asleson, the visitors continued their solid play in the second and pushed the lead to as much as 15 points before Calgary finally showed some signs of life.
 
The Dinos clamped down on the defensive side of the ball, allowing just two points in the final four minutes of the second quarter. Calgary went on an 8-0 run before halftime to cut the lead to just six points heading into the break.
 
Calgary drew even on four occasions in the third quarter, but the Dinos weren't able to break through and the teams headed into the fourth tied at 47-47. After a low-scoring first few minutes of the fourth, the Dinos finally took their first lead of the game about three minutes into the quarter after a pair of Kristie Sheils free throws gave Calgary a 51-49 advantage.
 
Alberta tied up the game midway through the fourth, but Calgary scored 12 consecutive points over the next four minutes – including back-to-back three-point daggers from Jessica Franz and Sheils – to build up their first double-digit lead of the game and coast to victory down the stretch.

In the late semi-final, Regina upended Fraser Valley 84-77 to qualify for their sixth consecutive conference title game.
 
The Pandas will take on the Fraser Valley Cascades for the bronze medal Saturday at 5 p.m., with the winner claiming the final Canada West berth to the CIS Final 8. The Dinos and Cougars will battle for gold at 7 p.m.

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