BOX SCORE CALGARY – Harleen Sidhu put up 20 points, including a key six in the final quarter as the UBC Thunderbirds took a 56-53 decision over the University of Calgary Dinos Saturday night in the Jack Simpson Gym.

The victory, the 400th overall in UBC head coach Deb Huband's storied 19-year career with the Thunderbirds, solidified a 13-5 record for the visitors, who are guaranteed at least a share of first place in the Pacific Division heading into the final two weekends of conference play. Calgary, on the other hand, suffered its fourth loss in the last five games to drop to 11-7 on the year with four games to play. The Dinos will need to hold off the surging Winnipeg Wesmen down the stretch if they aim to claim the fourth and final playoff spot in the Prairie Division.

Sidhu's 20 points came on 9-for-19 shooting from the field as the Dinos struggled to contain the Nebraska transfer down low all night. She picked up a game-high 14 rebounds as well to pace the T-Birds to the win.  But it certainly didn't come without considerable effort.

Calgary made a game of it in the third quarter and early in the fourth, coming back from a five-point halftime deficit to tie the game and take the lead briefly early in the final frame. Jessica Thielen's eight-point, 10-rebound effort along with 13 by Kristie Sheils led the way for the Dinos, while Ashley Hirons and Lawrie Saunders chipped in with eight each as well.

With the Dinos ahead 49-47 and just three minutes to play, a 6-0 run by UBC with four from Kris Young and the others from Sidhu put the visitors in front to stay. Buckets by Hirons and Saunders in the final minute pulled the Dinos within a pair on two occasions, but the Thunderbirds were always able to respond and Sheils' Hail Mary three-point attempt at the buzzer fell just short.

Young pulled off a dozen-dozen double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds on the night, while Cassandra Kniegvel also potted 12. Maggie Sundberg chipped in with eight points for UBC, which won the overall rebounding battle by a 46-39 margin.

Tamara Jarrett scored five points but picked up seven rebounds for the Dinos, while Hirons picked up four steals on the night without turning it over once. The Dinos generated 17 turnovers from UBC, but the Thunderbirds' edge at the free throw line – making 18 trips against the Dinos' five and putting up 10 points – proved to be the difference.

UBC returns home to host the UBC Okanagan Heat in a two-game set next weekend before wrapping up the season with a home-and-home set against Victoria. Calgary heads on the road next weekend to face the Regina Cougars before wrapping up the season Feb. 12-13 against Lethbridge. The Dinos' final home game will be Thursday, Feb. 13 when they host the Pronghorns.

-UC-