Battle of Alberta goes to No. 3 Pandas

1/25/2014 12:32:00 AM | By: Matt Gutsch, Alberta Sports Information

BOX SCORE EDMONTON - The CIS No.3 ranked Alberta Pandas basketball team racked up a big lead against the Calgary Dinos on Friday night at the Saville Community Sports Centre, and then watched it almost slip away. In the end, the Pandas escaped Friday night with a 69-65 victory, which was their 12^th straight win in conference play.

Fifth-year post Andria Carlyon led the Pandas, and all players, with a game high of 23 points while also adding seven rebounds. Guard Renee Byrne added 14 points in the win, while fourth-year forward Kendra Asleson hauled in a game high 11 rebounds.

With the win, the Pandas improve to 13-2 on the season, and while they are first in the Prairie Division, they remain tied with the Regina Cougars and Saskatchewan Huskies for the top spot.

The Dinos, now at 11-4, hold steady in fourth place. Only the top four teams from each division advance to the Canada West playoffs, and Calgary is virtually assured a spot at this point as fifth place Winnipeg is eight points back.

On Friday night the Dinos were led by Kristie Sheils' 18 points, as well as Tamara Jarrett's 17 points.

And, while the Dinos did chip away at Alberta's advantage throughout the second half, even drawing to within two points, they were severely outmatched on the boards. The Pandas, one of the best defensive teams in Canada West, brought down 41 rebounds as a team, while Calgary recorded just 25, including 17 off the defensive glass.

After shaking off a slow start, in which the Dinos led 5-0 through the first three minutes of the game, the Pandas began to find their rhythm. But, despite the early deficit, Alberta surged to a 19-14 first quarter lead, largely thanks to the play of Megan Van de Kraats, who came off the bench to score six first quarter points in just five minutes of action.

Carlyon led the charge in the second quarter, by scoring 12 points, and the Pandas ballooned their lead to 38-23 at half-time.

The Pandas increased their advantage to 18 points in the third, and although they led 51-38 heading into the fourth, the Dinos had begun to heat-up, and slowly and surely worked themselves back into the contest.

It was all Calgary in the fourth, and Alberta did all it could just to hang on. Jarrett and Sheils each had six points in the final quarter, while Ashley Hirons suddenly got red hot and banked eight points for the Dinos as they outscored the Pandas 27-18. And, while they drew to within two points on a couple of occasions, plays like Sally Hillier's top of the arc three-pointer, kept Alberta in front. Carlyon was also clutch in the fourth, chipping in with seven points, while guard Jessilyn Fairbanks picked up four points to help the Pandas pick up the 69-65 win.

The provincial rivals will clash again on Saturday night, with tip-off scheduled for 5:00 pm.

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