CALGARY - A strong performance by the Dinos improves their record to 3-4 as they defeated the Manitoba Bisons 78-62 on Nov. 21 at the Jack Simpson Gymnasium. The Bisons have yet to win a game, falling to 0-7 on the season.
Calgary's offense was led by Ashley Hirons who had 14 points on the night, including three field goals from outside the arc. Brianna Ghali and Claire Colborne both hit double digits as well, scoring 13 and 12 points respectively. Kelsey Lund came up big defensively, recording seven rebounds and three blocks.
Robyn Eyer led Manitoba with 13 points, followed by Sheree Carmona-Galdamez who picked up nine. Claire Harvey added six rebounds.
The Dinos had a slow start to the game, trailing 5-0 after the first three minutes, but they found their stride and went on an eight point run, led by Hirons who recorded an impressive seven points in the first seven minutes.
The two teams exchanged leads for the majority of the quarter, but a nice steal by Jessica Theilen with a minute to go led to a field goal by Emma Nieuwenhuizen that put Calgary ahead by a score of 17-13 at the end of the quarter.
The Dinos extended their lead to 21-13 early in the second, thanks to two nearly identical back-to-back field goals by Lawrie Saunders, both assisted nicely by Theilen. The Bisons answered back, led by two 3-pointers from Eyer, forcing the Dinos to take a time-out with a narrow 24-23 lead.
The time-out served very well for Calgary, as they pushed back with a huge 11 point run, led by Brianna Ghali and Clarise Jennings. Both teams struggled offensively in the final three minutes of the half, but a strong lay-up by Colborne allowed the Dinos to complete the half with a 40-28 lead.
The Dinos struggled again early in the second half, recording only two points in the first two minutes, but they managed to get their offense going with a 10 point run through the middle of the quarter. Colborne had five of those points, becoming the first player on the court to hit double digits.
With less than five minutes to play in the quarter, Manitoba guard Caitlin Ticzon recorded the Bisons first point in over four minutes, sparking a nine point run for the Bisons, but it was not enough to get them within striking distance of the Dinos lead as they still trailed by 11 points. With late baskets from both teams, the Dinos took a 58-46 advantage into the final frame.
Two early 3-pointers from Dinos Aimee Wilson and Ashley Hirons increased their lead to 16 points. Despite a solid comeback effort from Eyer who responded with five straight points, the Bisons were unable to contain the Calgary offense that came up with 20 points in the fourth quarter, as they cruised to a 78-62 victory.
As a bounce back game after two tough losses in Regina last weekend, Hirons said, "We played more together offensively and defensively. We were hustling which is what we wanted to bring compared to the other weeks that we've had. We made a few mistakes that we want to correct for tomorrow, but it was a good start so far to the weekend."
These two teams will be back in action at the Jack Simpson Gym tomorrow night at 5 p.m. MT.
