CALGARY – Led by an 18-point effort from Jessilyn Fairbanks, the University of Alberta Pandas opened the 2015 Calgary Cup with a 74-67 win over the host University of Calgary Dinos Thursday night in the Jack Simpson Gym.

BOX SCORE

Taking advantage of turnovers and a solid offensive rebounding performance, the Pandas took 17 more shots than the Dinos over the course of the game and, despite shooting just 35.6 per cent from the field, held off the charging Dinos late to take the seven-point victory. Alberta scored 28 points off of 26 Calgary turnovers, recording 18 steals in the win.

The first half was all Alberta and proved to be the difference in the game as the Pandas took a 38-27 lead into the break. That lead stretched as high as 17 points midway through the third quarter, but the Dinos were able to pull as close as five with seven minutes to play in the fourth. Calgary outscored Alberta 31-21 over the final 15 minutes, due in large part to good outside shooting, but the gap was too great for the home side to overcome.

In addition to Fairbanks' 18-point, seven-steal effort, Elie Hendershot put up a big 11-point, 13-rebound double-double for the Pandas while Megan Wickstrom chipped in with 16 points and Maddie Rogers contributed a dozen.

For the Dinos, Claire Colborne was the leader on both ends of the floor with 17 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Kelsey Lund added 11 points for Calgary, while Kristie Sheils picked up 10.

Rebounds were even at 43-43 in the game, though Alberta had 20 on the offensive glass and scored 18 points as a result. The loss drops Calgary's non-conference record to 4-3, while Alberta improves to 3-0.

The Pandas will head down Crowchild Trail to face the Mount Royal Cougars Friday night, while the Dinos will play host to the Lethbridge Pronghorns. Both games have a 6 p.m. tip-off.

-UC-