CALGARY - Like the night before, the University of Calgary Dinos started slow, but eventually cruised to victory, by a score of 95-79 over the Regina Cougars for their 12th straight win on Seniors Night. More importantly, the team clinched first place in the Pioneer Division and home court throughout the playoffs.
Regina got off to a hot start in the first quarter, lighting up Calgary for 28 points including 5-8 from the three-point line.
"It was a slow start, but we eventually got to our wits," Letkeman said. "Dan came in and gave us motivational speeches and it got us going.
In the second the home team would respond and were led by Thomas Cooper, who after scoring just two points in the first quarter, put up nine in the next 10 minutes. Calgary would also tighten up defensively, holding the visitors to just 13 points while putting up 27 for the 46-41 halftime lead.
It was much of the same in the third quarter, as Calgary would outscore Regina by a similar margin of 26-14 for the 72-50 lead.
In the fourth, the Dinos would put it on cruise control, with some highlight dunks from Cooper and Letkeman, who got a curtain call along with Owen-Thomas.
"This is everything for me," Letkeman said. "I'm forever grateful for all my teammate, peers, coaches, and just being here is amazing, so I thank my God and everyone around me."
After Regina shot 52 per cent from the field in the third quarter, the Dinos were much better at the defensive end over the next 30 minutes, as the Cougars would finish the game at 38 per cent.
On the other end, Alex Igual led the Cougars in scoring with 19 points, but Regina simply couldn't keep up with the league-leading offense of the Canada West, who also had 46 points in the paint.
Calgary improved to 16-3 on the season and hasn't loss a game since November 27th.
"We're excited to be number one, but that''s not our goal," Letkeman said. "Our goal is to win every game we play."
The team will wrap up the regular season next Saturday night in Edmonton, for a tilt with the Alberta Golden Bears, who they beat earlier in the year.
The Cougars, now at 10-8, will end their season against the Saskatchewan Huskies next weekend.
