PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – Mambi Diawara scored 38 points as the University of Calgary Dinos used a late surge to defeat the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves 69-53 on Friday night at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre.
An 18-2 run by the visitors over the final eight minutes broke open a tight contest and allowed the Dinos to open the Canada West regular season with a victory. Just one other Dino joined Diawara in double digits: freshman
Andrew Milner added 10 points.
"That was a great win," Diawara said. "The Timberwolves came out tonight competing and the game was close down the stretch until the final minutes. We stayed composed and things went our way."
Trailing 25-20, the Dinos went on a 12-1 run to wrap up the second quarter and take a lead into half time - a run sparked by one of just two three-balls on the night by Diawara, who went 12-20 from the field and 12-14 from the line in an impressive performance.
The Timberwolves trailed 32-26 at the half, but kept pace with the Dinos through the third quarter and early into the fourth, twice drawing even, but never be able to get ahead. Calgary poured it on late, while the Timberwolves only managed six fourth-quarter points.
The Timberwolves shot 40 per cent from the floor and 50 per cent from the free throw line, mustering only five points from the charity stripe. The Dinos, meanwhile, shot 48 per cent from the floor and made 16 of their 20 free-throw attempts.
The Timberwolves were buoyed by a pair of returning veterans. Daniel Stark scored a team-high 11, as he returned to the program after last playing in? 2014. Nolan Hanson, who missed last season due to injury added five points. Marcus MacKay scored 10.
In a back-and-forth first half the lead changed four times, with UNBC leading by as much as five, while the Dinos' biggest advantage was seven points.
Lars Schlueter was the Dinos' leading rebounder with 10, while Diawara just missed out on a double-double with nine boards.
The teams complete the weekend series on Saturday at the Northern Sport Centre. Game time is 8 p.m. MT, live on CanadaWest.tv.
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