CALGARY - The University of Calgary Dinos lost a tough defensive battle to the No. 5 ranked University of Alberta Pandas by a score of 55-51 on Feb. 5^th. Dinos honoured graduating players Jessica Thielen and Lawrie Saunders in their final regular season game at the Jack Simpson Gymnasium.

With the loss, Calgary drops to a .500 record at 9-9 while Alberta improves to 14-4.

The Dinos were led by Kristie Sheils who registered 13 points on the night. Claire Colborne and Kelsey Lund followed with 10 points, respectively.

Fifth year forward Saskia Van Ginhoven led the Pandas with 13 points. Kendra Asleson also had a strong game, putting up 11 points and Megan Van de Kraats had a game-high of 11 rebounds.

The Dinos came out flying in the first quarter, with Colborne putting up a 3 point field goal in the first 10 seconds of the game. Midway through the quarter with the Dinos up 11-5, Alberta started to bounce back with a three pointer from Renee Byrne. The Pandas kept pushing, but Calgary held on to a narrow 15-13 lead at the quarter break.

Alberta carried their momentum into the second with an early seven point run giving them a 20-15 lead less than three minutes in. A lay-up by Lawrie Saunders got the Dinos on the board which started a six point run that put the Dinos back on top.

Five consecutive points from Byrne led to another lead change, but two Calgary baskets in the final minute, including a buzzer beater from Saunders, had the two teams tied at 25 after the first half.

Both teams had a slow start to the second half, with each team recording only one basket in the first three minutes. The Dinos offense picked up again midway through the quarter with an eight point run, giving them a 38-31 lead.

The Pandas responded with a five point run of their own, but a late basket from Ashley Hirons accompanied by a free throw point from Anmol Mattu gave the Dinos a 45-38 advantage going into the final frame.

Calgary's offense went on an untimely cold streak, as they did not record a point until the seventh minute of the quarter. By that time, Alberta had taken a narrow one point lead with just over three minutes to play. Consecutive baskets from Pandas' Van Ginhoven and Asleson gave them a five point lead with a minute and a half to go.

A crucial field goal by Sheils from outside the arc put the Dinos back within two and head coach Damian Jennings took the final time out for Calgary as they trailed 53-51. Despite their efforts, the Dinos were unable to make the comeback as the Pandas took the game by a final score of 55-51.

The Dinos will look to close out the regular season on a positive note next weekend, Feb. 14-15, as they travel to Saskatoon to take on the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. The Pandas will head home to face the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.