HALIFAX, N.S. - The No. 7 University of Calgary Dinos rebounded from Thursday's national quarter-final loss to post a 92-84 win over the sixth-seeded Manitoba Bisons Friday night in the first consolation semifinal.

While the loss ends Manitoba's season, the win lets Calgary's campaign continue one more night. They will play in the fifth place game at the 2017 U SPORTS national championship Saturday night at 8 p.m. local (5 p.m. MT) against the winner of the second consolation semifinal between Alberta and Saint Mary's.

It wasn't always pretty for the Dinos, particularly in the first half. While the Bisons came flying out of the gate, the Dinos couldn't buy a hoop and found themselves down 11-0 just minutes into the contest. It was a trend that repeated itself early in the second quarter, when the Bisons went on a 15-0 run after the Dinos were able to tie it up at 22-all. Again, though, the Dinos managed to come back and take a 43-42 lead into the half.

"Honestly, it's crazy," said Dinos head coach Dan Vanhooren. "We don't have a lot of depth, we put out a big amount of energy to play the game we did yesterday, and we needed some energy off the bench. After the game, I gave it up for Connor [Foreman] - he came in and gave us a boost that all of us needed."

The Dinos won the final two quarters 26-24 and 23-18, thanks in large part to the play of Foreman. Averaging less than 10 minutes per game on the year, the fourth-year forward put in 24 minutes and was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, hit both free throws he attempted, and hauled down five rebounds go to with a block - finishing with 12 points.

Thomas Cooper, looking to extend his U SPORTS career by one more game, found his range in the second half and finished with a 30-point, 11-rebound double-double, earning player of the game honours. His performance matched that of the team - settled after half time, shooting well, and able to exact revenge on the Bisons for their upset win in the Canada West semifinal last week.

"We didn't turn the ball over in the second half - only three times after doing it a zillion times in the first half," said Vanhooren. "It was nice to see a few threes go down in the second half and give us a cushion."

The Dinos will look to win the consolation side of the draw Saturday night and be one of the few teams to win their final game of the season.

"These games are tough on the athletes, and with our thinner lineup it's even more difficult, and today felt like our Saskatchewan game last week where we didn't come out ready either," said Vanhooren. "I think tomorrow's game will be more competitive from the start - at least I hope that's the case."

-UC-